For which type of tests is sodium citrate particularly effective as an anticoagulant?

Sodium citrate is particularly effective as an anticoagulant for coagulation tests because it works by binding calcium, which is essential for the coagulation process. By removing calcium from the blood sample, sodium citrate inhibits the clotting cascade, allowing the assessment of the blood's ability to clot properly. This makes it the preferred additive for test tubes used in various coagulation studies, such as Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and Prothrombin Time (PT) tests.

In contrast, other types of tests do not require anticoagulation. Blood glucose tests, for example, typically use serum or plasma and do not require the addition of an anticoagulant that interferes with glucose measurement. Complete blood counts may also utilize EDTA as the preferred anticoagulant rather than sodium citrate, as it preserves cellular components effectively for analysis. Lipid profile tests rely on serum separation and do not require anticoagulation since calcium plays a crucial role in evaluating lipid parameters.