Comparison of normal reference intervals of pericardial fluid to transudative pleural fluid
| Pericardial fluid | Pleural fluid transudate | |
| Biochemical components | ||
| Total protein (g/dL) | 2.8 (1.7–4.6) | <3.0 |
| Total protein ratio | 0.5 (0.29–0.83) | ≤0.5 |
| Albumin gradient (g/dL) | 1.4 (0.18–2.37) | ≥1.2 |
| LDH (U/L) | 357 (141–2613) | ≤147* |
| LDH ratio | 1.1 (0.40–2.99) | ≤0.6 |
| Glucose (mg/dL) | 95 (80–134) | 65-139† |
| Total cholesterol (mg/dL) | 27 (12–69) | ≤45 |
| Cellular counts | ||
| Leucocytes (106 cells/L) | 503 (35–2210) | 125 (83–214) |
| Mesothelial cells (106 cells/L) | 1283 (40–3790) | 1 (0–2) |
| Lymphocytes (106 cells/L) | 304 (19–1634) | 23 (16–31) |
| Polymorphonucleated cells, (106 cells/L) | 2 (0–116) | 1 (0–2) |
| Macrophages, (106 cells/L) | 1 (0–207) | 75 (64–81) |
*Value is two-thirds of the upper limit of normal for those aged 18 years or older (222 IU/L).
†Similar to blood glucose concentration.