Heparin: Anticoagulant Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which formulation of heparin is most widely used for plasma and whole blood chemistry tests?

  • Calcium heparin
  • Lithium heparin (correct)
  • Sodium heparin
  • Ammonium heparin

What is the optimal anticoagulant concentration of heparin for use in blood studies?

  • 15-20 units/mL (correct)
  • 10-15 units/mL
  • 5-10 units/mL
  • 20-25 units/mL

What action does sodium citrate perform in coagulation tests?

  • Inhibits platelet activation
  • Neutralizes thrombin
  • Chelates calcium (correct)
  • Promotes clot formation

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of using heparin as an anticoagulant?

<p>Increases platelet count (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the critical ratio for sodium citrate when used in coagulation tests?

<p>1:9 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does excessive agitation have on coagulation test results?

<p>Shortened clotting times (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which heparin formulation should not be used for sodium level determination?

<p>Sodium heparin (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What result may be indicated by the presence of clots in a coagulation test?

<p>Prolonged coagulation test results (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Heparin anticoagulant

A substance used to prevent blood clotting, neutralizing thrombin, best for plasma chemistry and blood gas studies.

Heparin tube inversions

Must be inverted 8 times to ensure proper mixing and anticoagulation.

Sodium Citrate Ratio

A 1:9 ratio (Harr) is critical for accurate coagulation testing.

Sodium Citrate use

Used for coagulation tests, specifically chelating calcium for blood clotting studies.

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Excessive Mixing (Coagulation)

Can activate platelets and falsely shorten the clotting time affecting coagulation tests.

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Heparin formulations

Different forms of heparin, including ammonium, sodium, and lithium heparin for various testing.

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Lithium Heparin

Used for most plasma and whole blood chemistry tests, causing minimal interference in testing.

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Heparin Interference

Heparin can lead to false readings in some hematology tests, due to cellular clumping and morphological distortions.

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Hemolysis effect (Coagulation)

Hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown) can affect coagulation test results.

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Prolonged Tourniquet Application

Prolonging tourniquet application around a limb affects blood tests affecting coagulation times.

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Coagulation Test Factors

Factors such as hemolysis, excessive agitation, prolonged tourniquet application, etc can affect coagulation test results, either shortening or prolonging the results.

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Study Notes

Heparin

  • Found in: Green top tube
  • Inversions: 8x
  • Used for: Plasma chemistry and blood gas studies
  • Optimal anticoagulant concentration: 15-20 units/mL
  • Action: Neutralize thrombin
  • Choice anticoagulant for: OFT and blood gas studies
  • Three heparin formulations:
    • Ammonium heparin
    • Sodium heparin
    • Lithium heparin (least interference in chemistry testing; most widely used for plasma and whole blood chemistry)
  • Important reminder:
    • Lithium heparin: Not for lithium level determination.
    • Sodium heparin: Not for sodium level determination or electrolyte panel.
    • Ammonium heparin: Not for ammonia level determination.
    • Heparin causes cellular clumping (especially of platelets), leading to pseudoleukocytosis (falsely elevated WBC count) and pseudothrombocytopenia (falsely reduced platelet count).
    • Not used for blood smear preparation due to morphologic distortion of platelets and leukocytes.
    • Causes bluish coloration of background on blood smears stained with Romanowsky stain.
    • Not used for coagulation studies due to inhibiting thrombin.

3.2% Sodium Citrate

  • Found in: Light blue top
  • Inversions: 3-4
  • Used for: Coagulation tests
  • Critical ratio between anticoagulant and blood: 1:9
  • Action: Chelation of calcium
  • Forceful mixing/excessive inversions can activate platelets, shortening clotting times.

Factors Affecting Coagulation Test Results

  • H (Hemolysis): Prolongs coagulation test results
  • E (Excessive agitation): Shortens coagulation test results
  • P (Prolonged tourniquet application): Prolongs coagulation test results
  • E (Excessive needle manipulation): Prolongs coagulation test results
  • P (Platelet contamination): Prolongs coagulation test results
  • Presence of clots: Prolongs coagulation test results
  • Increased AC concentration: Shortens coagulation test results

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