Anticoagulants in Blood Collection Tubes for Phlebotomy: Properties, Uses, and Limitations

Summary

• Heparin, EDTA, and citrate are the most commonly used anticoagulants in blood collection tubes for phlebotomy procedures in the United States.
• Each Anticoagulant has specific uses and limitations in the laboratory setting.
• Understanding the properties of different anticoagulants is crucial for ensuring accurate and reliable Test Results.

Heparin

Heparin is a commonly used Anticoagulant in blood collection tubes for phlebotomy procedures in the United States. It works by inhibiting the clotting factors in the blood, preventing the blood from clotting in the tube. There are two main types of Heparin used in blood collection tubes:

Types of Heparin

1. Heparin Sodium: This form of Heparin is most commonly used in blood collection tubes. It is a synthetic form of Heparin that is effective in preventing clotting in the tube.
2. Heparin Lithium: This form of Heparin is often used for specialized tests that require a specific concentration of lithium in the sample. It is less commonly used than Heparin sodium.

Uses of Heparin

Heparin is used in blood collection tubes for a variety of tests, including:

1. Coagulation studies
2. Some chemistry tests
3. Some blood bank tests

Limits of Heparin

While Heparin is effective in preventing clotting in blood collection tubes, it can interfere with some tests, including:

1. Platelet count
2. Some enzyme assays
3. Some drug levels

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)

EDTA is another commonly used Anticoagulant in blood collection tubes for phlebotomy procedures in the United States. It works by chelating calcium ions in the blood, preventing the coagulation cascade from being activated. There are two main types of EDTA used in blood collection tubes:

Types of EDTA

1. EDTA K2: This form of EDTA is most commonly used in blood collection tubes. It is the preferred form for most hematology tests.
2. EDTA K3: This form of EDTA is less commonly used and is typically reserved for microbiology tests that require a higher concentration of EDTA.

Uses of EDTA

EDTA is used in blood collection tubes for a variety of tests, including:

1. Hematology tests
2. Blood lead levels
3. Blood cultures

Limits of EDTA

While EDTA is effective in preventing clotting in blood collection tubes, it can interfere with some tests, including:

1. Calcium, magnesium, and zinc levels
2. Some enzyme assays
3. Some drug levels

Citrate

Citrate is less commonly used as an Anticoagulant in blood collection tubes for phlebotomy procedures in the United States compared to Heparin and EDTA. It works by binding to calcium ions in the blood, preventing the coagulation cascade from being activated. There are two main types of citrate used in blood collection tubes:

Types of Citrate

1. Sodium Citrate: This form of citrate is most commonly used in blood collection tubes. It is used for coagulation studies, such as Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT).
2. Citrate-Dextrose (ACD Solution A): This form of citrate is less commonly used and is typically reserved for blood bank tests requiring preservation of red blood cell viability.

Uses of Citrate

Citrate is used in blood collection tubes for a variety of coagulation tests, including:

1. PT
2. aPTT
3. Thrombin time

Limits of Citrate

While citrate is effective in preventing clotting in blood collection tubes for coagulation studies, it can interfere with other tests, including:

1. Calcium, magnesium, and zinc levels
2. Some enzyme assays
3. Some drug levels



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