What is coagulation? What prevents coagulation during the hematocrit test?

Question

What is coagulation? What prevents coagulation during the hematocrit test?

Answer 1

Hi Sam,

 

Coagulation is the process when blood coagulates, or groups together to form a solid or semi-solid state (I like to think of it as forming a jello-like, semi-rigid, structure.). This is also the process of blood clots. To prevent coagulation, anticoagulants are used, although there may be specific compounds that fulfill this purpose.

 

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Coagulation means to clump together. There are several steps in the clotting mechanism that require certain proteins along the way. Three of the most important are prothrombin, thromboplastin, and fibrinogen. Interruption at any point in the clotting cascade can prevent the blood from clotting.

The hematocrit is the ratio of solid components in the blood, generally red blood cells, to the amount of fluid in the sample of blood. The more dilute the blood is, in other words the percentage of cells as compared to the amount of plasma, the lower the hematocrit will be. On the other hand, the more cells compared to less fluid, the hematocrit will be high. Generally, the hematocrit will be 3x the hemoglobin. Female 36-48% Male 42-58%. A variance in this ratio might indicate fluid volume deficit (dehydration) or fluid overload (too much fluid in the circulating blood.) There is a very good video of this on Khan Academy - blood - under health and medicine. Hope this helps.