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.