Citrate Tubes

Vacutainer Blue Top Tube for PT/INR, Coagulation, & Hemostasis Testing

BD Vacutainer 2.7 mL Citrate Tube (Light Blue Top, Hemogard Closure, 13×75 mm): This is a small evacuated blood-collection tube from Becton Dickinson’s Vacutainer line, specifically designed for coagulation testing. It has a light blue color cap (“Hemogard” style closure) and holds a 2.7 mL draw volume. Inside, it contains buffered sodium citrate at 0.109 M (3.2%) concentration as the anticoagulant. The tube’s dimensions are 13 mm in diameter by 75 mm in length, which is a common size for coagulation tubes. The Hemogard closure means it uses a plastic flip-off cap over a rubber stopper, ensuring a sterile seal.

Additive/Function: The 3.2% sodium citrate additive chelates calcium, preventing blood from clotting. This preserves the blood in a fluid (non-clotted) state for analysis. Importantly, the Vacutainer is factory-calibrated so that when filled to its 2.7 mL mark, the blood-to-citrate ratio is the standard 9:1 required for coagulation assays. After collection, the tube is gently inverted to mix blood with citrate. The resulting plasma (obtained after centrifugation) is used for tests like PT/INR, aPTT, fibrinogen, D-dimer and other coagulation panels.

Intended Use: BD specifies that these citrate tubes are “designed for use in routine coagulation studies”. In practice, they are the standard light-blue-top tubes used in hospitals and labs for almost all clotting tests. Because citrate binds calcium and stops clotting, the tube must be filled properly (to ensure the 9:1 ratio) and promptly processed. Once blood is drawn, laboratories centrifuge the tube to separate plasma; the plasma is then assayed.

Construction: The tube itself is plastic (Vacutainer Plus), with a paper label for writing patient info. The Hemogard closure is BD’s plastic flip-top (usually matching the light blue color of citrate tubes) over a rubber stopper. This design keeps the stopper clean (no metal crimp) and provides a secure, sterile seal until use. After draw, the flip cap can be removed and the rubber septum pierced by a needle to withdraw sample or add reagents. The tube is sterile and latex-free.

Why Choose BD Vacutainer Citrate Blood Collection Tubes?

• Perfect Coagulation Testing: Pre-filled with 3.2% buffered sodium citrate, these tubes provide the correct anticoagulant-to-blood ratio required for PT/INR, APTT, D-dimer, coagulation factor assays, and fibrinogen testing.
• Hemogard Closure for Safety: The innovative Hemogard cap minimizes risk of blood exposure, spillage, and contamination during handling—essential for infection control and safety in high-volume clinical environments.
• Precision Engineering: The 13mm x 75mm, 2.7 mL size ensures consistent sample volume and superior plasma yield, reducing hemolysis, clotting errors, and repeat blood draws.
• Universal Compatibility: Standard dimensions ensure seamless integration with all major blood collection and laboratory analysis systems.
• Sterile, Latex-Free Design: Every tube is individually vacuum-sealed, sterile, and latex-free for safe use with sensitive patients and rigid hospital protocols.
• Trusted BD Quality: BD Vacutainer leads the industry in blood collection products recognized for accuracy, innovation, and dependability.

Product Specifications

• Brand: BD Vacutainer
• Type: Citrate Blood Collection Tube (Blue Top)
• Volume: 2.7 mL accurate fill
• Dimensions: 13mm diameter x 75mm length
• Cap: Hemogard Closure (safety-engineered)
• Additive: 3.2% Sodium Citrate (0.109M)
• Material: Medical-grade PET plastic or glass
• Packaging: 100 tubes per tray (bulk value for high-throughput labs)
• Sterility: Vacuum-sealed, ready-to-use, and latex-free
• Color Code: Blue top for fast and easy identification

Ideal Applications

• Coagulation Studies: PT (Prothrombin Time), APTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time), INR, D-dimer, fibrinogen, and factor assays.
• Routine Outpatient & Inpatient Labs: Suitable for all high-throughput hematology labs, clinics, and hospital phlebotomy.
• Specialty Coagulation Centers: Essential for monitoring anticoagulation therapy and diagnosing clotting disorders.
• Point of Care & STAT Labs: Immediate and easy identification with blue tops and Hemogard protection.

Key Benefits

• Optimal sample integrity for Coag, PT/INR & specialty tests
• Precision plasma yield, every time
• Minimizes exposure risks and contamination
• Reliable, latex-free, and compatible with all analyzers
• Bulk packaging for clinical efficiency

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Ideal Applications

• Coagulation Studies: PT (Prothrombin Time), APTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time), INR, D-dimer, fibrinogen, and factor assays.
• Routine Outpatient & Inpatient Labs: Suitable for all high-throughput hematology labs, clinics, and hospital phlebotomy.
• Specialty Coagulation Centers: Essential for monitoring anticoagulation therapy and diagnosing clotting disorders.
• Point of Care & STAT Labs: Immediate and easy identification with blue tops and Hemogard protection.

Key Benefits

• Optimal sample integrity for Coag, PT/INR & specialty tests
• Precision plasma yield, every time
• Minimizes exposure risks and contamination
• Reliable, latex-free, and compatible with all analyzers
• Bulk packaging for clinical efficiency

Healthcare professionals, clinics, and laboratories worldwide depend on BD Vacutainer Citrate Blood Collection Tubes, Blue Top for the most accurate, safe, and efficient coagulation and hematology diagnostics available. Deliver better patient outcomes with industry-leading reliability and easy, contamination-free use.

Summary: In short, the BD Vacutainer 2.7 mL, 13×75 mm, light-blue-top tube is a sodium citrate anticoagulant tube (3.2% buffered citrate) used for coagulation blood tests. It features a Hemogard plastic closure (light-blue flip cap) which ensures sterility. These are part of the standard set of phlebotomy tubes: fill them to the 2.7 mL mark, invert gently, and use the plasma for routine clotting assays.