Heparin is used in blood tubes to prevent blood from clotting, allowing for the collection of plasma or whole blood for specific laboratory tests.
Understanding Heparin's Role
Heparin is an anticoagulant, meaning it acts as a blood thinner. This property is crucial in certain blood collection tubes because:
- It prevents the blood from clotting.
Applications of Heparinized Blood Tubes
Heparinized blood tubes are primarily used:
- For the collection of plasma or whole blood.
- For special tests involving clinical chemistry, immunology, and microbiological serology.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Prevents blood clotting |
| Result | Allows for collection of plasma or whole blood |
| Applications | Clinical chemistry, immunology, microbiological serology. |
Therefore, the presence of heparin ensures that the blood remains in a liquid state, which is essential for accurate testing and analysis in specific diagnostic procedures.
