BD Vacutainer™ Heparin Plasma Tubes

BD Vacutainer™ Heparin Plasma Tubes for clinical chemistry are available with spray-dried sodium heparin or lithium heparin additive. Heparin acts as an anticoagulant as it develops an antithrombin complex. This complex inhibits thrombin and the activated factor X and thus prevents coagulation.

• The optimum anticoagulation is achieved by the use of 17 IU heparin per mL of blood (when the fill level is correct)
• The heparin is spray dried onto the inner walls of the tubes using a special procedure so that the additive is evenly distributed to achieve the best possible solubility
• For clinical chemistry, lithium heparin is generally preferred over sodium heparin
• Correct mixing (8-10 inversions) of the tube immediately after the blood sample has been taken is extremely important to avoid microclotting
• Centrifugation conditions: ≤1300 g for 10 minutes at 18–25°C
• The 10mL Sodium Heparin tube is made of glass and features a conventional closure