Q. What is the use of sodium citrate tube?

Answer

The blood collection "citrate tube" is used for coagulation analysis. As an anticoagulant, it uses sodium citrate at a 3.2% concentration. This supplement stops blood from clotting by keeping calcium bound, and it also keeps the normally unstable coagulation components steady. Heparin, an anticoagulant that blocks the development of thrombin, is housed in the green vials. The heparin may be sodium heparin, lithium heparin, or ammonium heparin. Green tubes create plasma rather than serum, which is required for testing, in contrast to red tubes. Potassium oxalate, found in the citrate tube, inhibits coagulation by binding to calcium. These tubes also include an antiglycolytic drug in the form of sodium fluoride.