Hematology Anticoagulants Module 3

Study Notes

Anticoagulants disrupt the coagulation cascade to prevent blood clotting.
EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is the preferred anticoagulant for most hematologic tests.
Lavender top tubes signify the use of EDTA for hematology samples.
The coagulation cascade consists of coagulation factors 1 through 12, along with prekallikrein.
EDTA works by chelating calcium, creating insoluble calcium salts that inhibit coagulation.
Calcium, referred to as coagulation factor IV, is crucial as it participates in all three pathways of coagulation: extrinsic, intrinsic, and common.
Understanding EDTA's mechanism is essential as it plays a significant role in maintaining test accuracy and blood sample integrity.

Additives are substances added to blood samples; not all additives are anticoagulants.
All anticoagulants can be classified as additives, but not every additive functions as an anticoagulant.
Example of a non-anticoagulant additive is sodium fluoride, which preserves glucose levels in samples.
Different forms of EDTA include disodium salt (Versene), dipotassium salt (Sequestrene), and tripotassium salt (often in liquid form).
The presence of gel in certain tubes does not classify it as an anticoagulant; it serves as an additive.

Anticoagulants disrupt the coagulation cascade to prevent blood clotting.
EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is the preferred anticoagulant for most hematologic tests.
Lavender top tubes signify the use of EDTA for hematology samples.
The coagulation cascade consists of coagulation factors 1 through 12, along with prekallikrein.
EDTA works by chelating calcium, creating insoluble calcium salts that inhibit coagulation.
Calcium, referred to as coagulation factor IV, is crucial as it participates in all three pathways of coagulation: extrinsic, intrinsic, and common.
Understanding EDTA's mechanism is essential as it plays a significant role in maintaining test accuracy and blood sample integrity.

Additives are substances added to blood samples; not all additives are anticoagulants.
All anticoagulants can be classified as additives, but not every additive functions as an anticoagulant.
Example of a non-anticoagulant additive is sodium fluoride, which preserves glucose levels in samples.
Different forms of EDTA include disodium salt (Versene), dipotassium salt (Sequestrene), and tripotassium salt (often in liquid form).
The presence of gel in certain tubes does not classify it as an anticoagulant; it serves as an additive.