citrated blood is the typical sample anticoagulant used for
platelet function analysis
- citrate complexes approx. 98% of the free calcium in the
sample
- however calcium is an important second messenger of
platelet activation
- therefore citrate has the potential to disturb platelet
function tests
- for Multiplate analysis a tight attachment of platelets onto
the impedance sensor is mandatory, which enhances the
effect of calcium depletion on this method
- therefore the analysis of blood anticoagulated by hirudin
or heparin is recommended
- hirudin blood collection tubes are commercially available
from the manufacturer of Multiplate