BD Vacutainer® EDTA tubes are indicated for obtaining a whole blood or plasma EDTA sample.
BD Vacutainer® EDTA tubes are available in a range of sizes, both plastic and glass, and can be identified by a lavender cap. For transfused patients, BD Vacutainer® EDTA tubes are available with a pink cap and cross-label. Generally, the potassium salt K2 or K3 of EDTA (ethylene diamine Tetra acetic acid) is used as an anticoagulant. There are no functional differences between both additives. The existing difference is physical and consists of:
BD Vacutainer® K3EDTA is available for assays that require a proteolytic enzyme inhibitor. A conventional pink cap identifies BD Vacutainer® Aprotinin K3EDTA tubes.
BD Vacutainer® plastic tubes offer a safe method of blood collection, reducing the potential for tube rupture and spillage of samples. This reduces the potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens.