Which anticoagulant is used for blood collection during autopsies?

• A. EDTA
• B. Calcium citrate
• C. Sodium fluoride
• D. Heparin

Answer: (A)

EDTA, or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, is commonly used as an anticoagulant during blood collection for autopsies because it effectively binds calcium ions in the blood. Calcium is essential for the coagulation cascade; by chelating calcium, EDTA prevents the blood from clotting. This property is particularly beneficial in forensic settings where accurate blood analysis is necessary for determining various parameters, such as toxicology or blood component ratios, without the interference of coagulation that could complicate results.

In the context of autopsies, maintaining the integrity of the blood sample is crucial, and EDTA provides a reliable means of achieving this. Other anticoagulants, while effective for certain purposes, may introduce issues such as altering the chemical composition of the sample or not preserving the sample reliably for the required analyses. For instance, heparin could affect certain laboratory tests, and sodium fluoride serves more as a preservative for glucose rather than a general anticoagulant. Calcium citrate is another anticoagulant, but it is less commonly used specifically for blood collection during autopsies.