Which anticoagulant is commonly used for red blood cell counts?

The use of EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as an anticoagulant for red blood cell counts is well-established in clinical laboratory practices. EDTA works by chelating calcium ions in the blood, which are essential for the coagulation cascade. By binding these ions, EDTA effectively prevents blood from clotting, thus preserving the integrity of the cellular components for accurate count and analysis.

This property makes EDTA the reagent of choice for hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements, as well as for complete blood counts (CBC). The precise control of the sample environment provided by EDTA is crucial for obtaining reliable results in these hematology tests.

While heparin can also be used as an anticoagulant in some laboratory settings, it is generally more favored for tests that assess the coagulation pathways. Citrate is also used, particularly in coagulation studies, but not typically for routine red blood cell counts. Warfarin, being an oral anticoagulant used for long-term therapy, is not suitable for immediate laboratory analysis due to its mechanism and pharmacokinetics.