ANTICOAGULANT SODIUM CITRATE

What is this medication?

Anticoagulant Sodium Citrate is a solution primarily used to prevent blood from clotting during medical procedures involving extracorporeal circulation. It works by binding to calcium ions in the blood, which are essential components of the natural coagulation process. By removing these free calcium ions, the medication effectively halts the chemical reactions required for blood to solidify, keeping it in a liquid state while it is processed through various medical devices.

This medication is most frequently utilized in procedures such as apheresis, where specific blood components are separated and collected, and during continuous renal replacement therapy or hemodialysis. It is also a standard additive in blood collection bags and laboratory tubes to preserve donated blood for future transfusions or testing. Because its anticoagulant effect is often limited to the medical equipment or can be reversed as the blood returns to the body, it serves as a critical tool for maintaining blood flow during complex treatments.