What is the role of an anticoagulant in blood collection tubes?

An anticoagulant in blood collection tubes serves the critical purpose of preventing the clotting of the blood sample. When blood is drawn into a tube containing anticoagulant, the additive works to inhibit the normal clotting mechanisms that would otherwise occur, allowing for the collection of whole blood or plasma for testing without the interference of clots.

By preventing clot formation, laboratories can perform various analyses on the blood specimen, such as complete blood counts or coagulation tests, without the risk of inaccuracies caused by clotting. This property is essential for ensuring reliable and valid results in diagnostic procedures.

While there are roles for other substances used in blood collection, such as preservatives and agents for separation, the primary and most significant function of anticoagulants is to maintain the sample in a fluid state, preventing coagulation until further processing or analysis can be conducted.