Light's criteria
Pulmonology
Also known as: Light-Kriterien · Light kriterleri · Light's criteria (exudate versus transudate in pleural effusion)
What it is for
Light's criteria separate an exudative from a transudative pleural effusion using total protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measured in pleural fluid and serum at the same time.
Classification
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Exudate | at least ONE of the following is met: |
| 1 | pleural fluid protein / serum protein ratio >0.5 |
| 2 | pleural fluid LDH / serum LDH ratio >0.6 |
| 3 | pleural fluid LDH more than two-thirds of the laboratory's upper limit of normal for serum LDH |
| Transudate | none of the three criteria is met. |
Source
Pleural effusions: the diagnostic separation of transudates and exudates
Ann Intern Med 1972;77:507-513 (Light RW, Macgregor MI, Luchsinger PC, Ball WC)
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-77-4-507
PMID: 4642731
- Edition
- Light et al. 1972 (three criteria, unchanged)
- Checked on
Summary of the published classification in our own words. Not a substitute for the original publication.
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