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Hematology reagents used to prevent clotting of blood samples for laboratory analysis by inhibiting blood coagulation, they also maintain cell viability. Most of these anticoagulants act by making calcium unavailable for the clotting process; they include citrates, oxalates, and ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic-acid (EDTA). Heparin is also used for this purpose; it prevents clotting by inactivating thrombin and/or other coagulation factors. Anticoagulants are frequently available in tubes as an internal coating.
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