Comparison of Complete Blood Count Parameters using EDTA, Sodium Citrate, and Heparin Anticoagulants

A complete blood count is a routine blood examination performed in laboratories. EDTA is the standard anticoagulant used in complete blood count examination. The use of ethylenamineintetraacetic acid (EDTA) may cause pseudo thrombocytopenia. The alternative to EDTA is sodium citrate and heparin anticoagulants. This study aimed to compare the results of complete blood count parameters using EDTA, sodium citrate, and heparin anticoagulants for the necessity of health service in the laboratory. The design of this study was a cross-sectional observational analytic done from October 2020 until November 2020. The participants of this study came from 62 adults who look healthy recruited in Medical Check-up Department. The sample was collected using K₂-EDTA, 3.2% sodium citrate, and heparin tubes with volumes of 3ml, 3ml, and 4ml respectively. The sample was then examined using Sysmex XN 1000 hematology analyzer. There were no significant differences between the result of hemoglobin (HBG), red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), red cells distribution width (RDW), and white blood cells (WBC) parameters. The result of platetelet (PLT) was significantly different between the three tubes. The results of platelet examination with sodium citrate and heparin tubes were lower than those obtained with the EDTA tube. EDTA is still the best choice for a complete blood count, but sodium citrate and heparin anticoagulants can be used as alternatives for testing.