Question

The most suitable anticoagulant for ESR determination by Wintrobe’s method is
A. EDTA
B. Sodium citrate
C. Heparin
D. Double oxalate

Answer 1

Hint:It is the trisodium salt of citric acid and has a function as an agent of flavouring.

Complete answer:
First we should know about ESR and its role to answer this question. ESR means Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Now let’s explain its principle, when applying an anticoagulant to the blood and inserting this well-mixed venous blood in a vertical tube, erythrocytes begin to settle downward, leaving pure plasma on top. This rate of red blood cell sedimentation within a given time period is called erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The Westergren method is a commonly used method for estimating ESR. Even the wintrobe method is used for determining ESR. Westergren tube is larger than wintrobe tube.

Now, let us find the solution from the options-
>0.1 M sodium citrate is used as an anticoagulant.
>10 ml of sodium citrate is mixed in a tube with 4 ml of venous blood in ESR estimation.
>The tube is inverted 2-3 times to completely mix the blood with anticoagulant.
>In ESR estimation, the wintrobe tube is filled up to mark 0 and positions it in the rack at room temperature and keeps undisturbed and away from sunlight.
>Reading is taken exactly after 1 hour in millimeters.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B) Sodium citrate.


Note: ESR represents the tendency of red blood cells, typically due to changes in plasma fibrinogen, immunoglobulins, and other acute-phase reaction proteins, to stabilize more quickly in the face of certain disease states. Changes in the structure or numbers of red cells may also influence the ESR.