In the field of clinical medicine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a routine and important test item, mainly used to evaluate the degree of inflammatory response in the body, monitor the progression of certain diseases, and evaluate the effectiveness. When conducting a erythrocyte sedimentation rate test, the selection of anticoagulants and their ratio to the blood are crucial. Among them, sodium citrate, as one of the commonly used anticoagulants, has a direct impact on the accuracy and reliability of the test results in terms of its ratio to the blood.
The anticoagulant mechanism of sodium citrate
Sodium citrate, as an organic acid, has an anticoagulant mechanism mainly based on its binding with calcium ions in the blood. Calcium ions play a crucial role in the process of blood coagulation and are an important condition for the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. Sodium citrate can form soluble complexes with calcium ions that are difficult to dissociate, thereby reducing the concentration of free calcium ions in the blood and inhibiting the production and activity of thrombin, achieving the purpose of anticoagulation.
Ratio of sodium citrate to blood
In erythrocyte sedimentation rate tests, the ratio of sodium citrate to blood is usually carefully designed to ensure both anticoagulation and natural sedimentation of red blood cells. Generally speaking, this ratio is set at 1:4, which means adding 1 part of sodium citrate solution to every 4 parts of the blood sample. The selection of this ratio is not arbitrary, but based on a large amount of experimental data and clinical practice experience.
1: A ratio of 4 can ensure sufficient binding of sodium citrate to calcium ions in the blood, thereby inhibiting the occurrence of coagulation reactions. If the proportion of sodium citrate is too low, it may lead to incomplete anticoagulation, blood coagulation during the testing process, and affect the accuracy of the test results. On the contrary, if the proportion of sodium citrate is too high, although it can ensure anticoagulant effect, it may over dilute the blood sample, slow down the sedimentation rate of red blood cells, and also affect the accuracy of the test results.
Secondly, a ratio of 1:4 also helps maintain the physiological state of the blood sample. At this ratio, the proportion of blood components such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets remains basically unchanged, which can truly reflect the state of the patient's blood in the body. This is of great significance for evaluating the patient's condition, developing a plan, and monitoring the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment.
Precautions in practical operation
In practical operation, in order to ensure the accurate ratio of sodium citrate to blood, it is necessary to strictly follow the operating procedures. Accurately measure the volume of sodium citrate solution and blood sample, avoiding the use of inaccurate measuring tools or methods. Secondly, when mixing sodium citrate and blood samples, shake well to ensure that the anticoagulant is evenly distributed in the blood sample. Before conducting a erythrocyte sedimentation rate test, it is necessary to check whether the blood sample has been completely anticoagulated to avoid detection errors caused by incomplete anticoagulation.
Clinical significance and application
As a simple, rapid, and economical test item, erythrocyte sedimentation rate examination has a wide range of clinical application value. By detecting the sedimentation rate of red blood cells within a specific time frame, the degree and extent of inflammatory response in the body can be indirectly evaluated. For example, in rheumatic, infectious, and certain neoplastic diseases, patients' erythrocyte sedimentation rate usually increases. Therefore, erythrocyte sedimentation rate examination can serve as one of the important reference indicators for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of these illnesses.
In summary, the ratio of sodium citrate to blood is of crucial importance in erythrocyte sedimentation rate testing. By controlling this ratio, the accuracy and reliability of erythrocyte sedimentation rate testing can be ensured, providing strong support for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Sodium citrate is one of the main products of Hubei Xindesheng Company, which stands out in the market for its high purity, good water solubility, and excellent efficacy, and is highly praised by domestic and foreign customers. Complete variety, welcome to purchase!