HEMATOLOGY
INTRO TO HEMA &
OVERVIEW OF RED BLOOD CELLS
AKA erythrocytes
ANTICOAGULANTS Anucleate, biconcave, discoid
Contains hemoglobin
Pink-red
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
6-8um in diameter
THE BLOOD
Zone of pallor that occupies ⅓
➢ Liquid in vivo: may clot in vitro of diameter (redness)
➢ Red in color- HEMOGLOBIN Major function: deliver oxygen
(oxygen-binding protein)
OVERVIEW OF RED WHITE BLOOD
➢ Ph: Alkaline 7.35-7.45
CELLS
➢ SG: 1.055 (1.045-1.065)
➢ 3.5 to 4.5 times thicker than AKA Leukocytes
H2O Major function: Protection
➢ Taste is somehow salty and Examples:
metallic taste (due to - Neutrophils
electrolytes) - Eosinophils
- Basophils
COMPOSITION OF BLOOD
- Lymphocytes
- Monocytes
MALAGAMBA, BEA MLS 3C
ANTICOAGULANTS
USES:
1. Anticoagulant of choice for
hematology cell counts and cell
- Prevent clotting morphology
- Inhibits coagulation mechanism 2. It May be used in the
of blood in vitro preparation of blood smears
- Allow blood specimens to (<2 hours)
become suitable for laboratory 3. Preferred coagulant for platelet
testing counting
- Important in generating
DISADVANTAGES
accurate and reliable results
1. If used in excess:
- Shrinkage of RBC’s
- Degenerative changes in
WBC’s
- Platelet swelling
2. Platelet Salletism
- Adherence of PMN’s
(Polymorphonuclear cells)
- To correct, recollect new
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid
specimen and use citrate
- Lavender top tube - Platelet count is
- Mode of action: chelates multiplied by 1.1
calcium (Ca2+) (removal)
Citrate
- Optimum concentration:
1.5mg/mL - Blue and blacktop tubes
- FORMS - Mode of action: binds to
● K2 EDTA- aka Versene: calcium (Ca2+) to form soluble
plastic, spray-dried complexes
● K3 EDTA- aka - Concentrations:
Sequestrene: glass, liquid ● 3.2% (0.109 M). 1:9
AntiCoagulant- Blood
ratio (light blue)
MALAGAMBA, BEA MLS 3C
● 3.8% ( 0.129 M). 1:4
USES:
AC Blood ratio
(Blacktop tube) 1. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
(Wintrobe)
USES:
DISADVANTAGES
1. Coagulation studies
(Factor V and Factor VIII 1. Distorts cellular morphology
is preserved) - Crenation of RBC’s
2. Platelet studies (Platelet - Vacuolation of WBC’s
aggregation) - Bizarre forms of
3. Erythrocyte lymphocytes and
Sedimentation rate monocytes
(Westergren) BLACK
Heparin
DISADVANTAGE
- Greentop tube
1. In excess, prolongs PT and - Mode of action: inactivates
APTT results thrombin by accelerating action
of thrombin III
Oxalate
- Optimum concentration:
- Gray/blacktop tubes 15-20 U/mL
- Mode of action: binds calcium - FORMS:
(Ca2+) to form insoluble ● Lithium heparin
complexes ● Sodium heparin- the
- Optimum concentration: injectable form used in
1-2mg/mL anticoagulant therapy
- FORMS
USES:
● Potassium oxalate:
Shrinks cells 1. Osmotic fragility testing
● Ammonium oxalate: 2. Blood gas analysis
Swells cells
DISADVANTAGES:
● Double/balanced oxalate:
ratio of 2:3 1. Causes bluish discoloration in
blood films when stained
MALAGAMBA, BEA MLS 3C
2. Not used in coagulation studies-
inactivates all stages of
coagulation ORDER OF DRAW/color/inversion
MUCOITIN POLYSULFURIC ACID 1. Blood culture tubes- yellow
(8X)
Basic dye (blue) - acidic
2. Coagulation studies citrate
Fluoride tube- light blue (3-4X)
3. Serum tubes with or without
- Gray top tube
clot activator or gel
- Not anticoagulant but only an
separator (Has 5X) (none,
additive
do not mix)
- Mode of action: inhibits
4. Heparin tube- green (8X)
glycolysis by inactivating
5. EDTA tube- Lavender (8X)
enolase removes (Mg2+)
6. Glycolytic inhibitor fluoride
Magnesium
tubes- gray (8X)
USES:
YOU BETTER REMEMBER
1. Glucose testing (preserves
GIRLS LOVE GRAY
glucose up to 72 hrs)
OTHER ADDITIVES
1. Clot activator
- Glass silica particles-
used in STAT serum
determinations
- Thrombin- usually
present in orange top
tubes
2. Gel separator
- Aka thixotropic gel
- Usually present in gold
top tube
MALAGAMBA, BEA MLS 3C
