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Hess test

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Hess test
Purposeassess capillary fragility

The Hess test or Rumpel-Leede test is a medical test used to assess capillary fragility.[1] It is also called the Tourniquet test.

To perform the test, pressure is applied to the forearm with a blood pressure cuff inflated to between systolic and diastolic blood pressure for 10 minutes. After removing the cuff, the number of petechiae in a 5 cm diameter circle of the area under pressure is counted. Normally less than 15 petechiae are seen.[2] 15 or more petechiae indicate capillary fragility, which occurs due to poor platelet function, bleeding diathesis or thrombocytopenia, and can be seen in cases of scurvy,[3] and Dengue fever.

The test is named after Alfred Fabian Hess.

References

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  1. ^ Rumpel-Leede-Hess test, Gothlin's test at TheFreeDictionary.com
  2. ^ Hess test at anaesthetist.com
  3. ^ Eddy TP (May 1972). "A study of the relationship between Hess tests and leucocyte ascorbic acid in a clinical trial". Br. J. Nutr. 27 (3): 537–42. doi:10.1079/BJN19720123. PMID 5031180. Full text
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Rumpel-Leede test at Who Named It?