Subtitle Forum: Which Anticoagulant Is Used in Arterial Blood
Arterial blood is the blood that is pumped from the heart to the organs and tissues of the body via arteries. It is typically oxygenated and relatively free of bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances. In order to maintain the integrity of the blood, it is often necessary to use an anticoagulant, a substance that prevents the formation of blood clots.
Heparin is a commonly used anticoagulant for arterial blood. It is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is derived from the mucous membranes of certain animals. Heparin works by binding to antithrombin III, a naturally occurring protein that inhibits the action of thrombin, a protein that plays a role in blood clotting. By preventing thrombin from working, heparin helps to keep the blood flowing freely.
Citrate is another anticoagulant that is commonly used in arterial blood samples. Citrate works by binding to calcium, which is an essential component of the clotting process. By binding to calcium, citrate helps to keep the blood from forming clots.
EDTA is another anticoagulant that is commonly used in arterial blood samples. EDTA is a chelating agent, meaning that it binds to certain metals, including calcium, magnesium, and zinc. By binding to these metals, EDTA prevents them from participating in the clotting process, thus keeping the blood from clotting.
Hemodilution is another anticoagulant technique that is used in arterial blood samples. Hemodilution involves the addition of a solution, such as saline or albumin, to the blood sample. This dilutes the concentration of the clotting factors in the blood, thus preventing the formation of clots.
There are many different anticoagulants that can be used in arterial blood samples, and the choice of the appropriate anticoagulant will depend on the type of sample and the desired outcome. All anticoagulants should be used with caution, and it is important to follow the instructions of the laboratory performing the test.