AIMS: To improve the side effects caused by sodium citrate (Na(3)Cit), the anticoagulant effects of diethyl citrate (Et(2)Cit) were investigated. METHODS: The in vitro anticoagulant effects and dissociation capacity of the chelate of Et(2)Cit with calcium ions were compared with those of Na(3)Cit in rabbits. RESULTS: The activated coagulation time test showed that blood clotting time exceeded 1,200 s when the concentrations of Et(2)Cit and Na(3)Cit were greater than 87.2 and 8.72 mmol/l, respectively. The concentrations of free calcium ions in blood c(Ca(2+)) were reduced when Et(2)Cit was injected into the rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: Et(2)Cit reduces the concentration of ionized Ca(2+) in blood and has anticoagulant effects. The dissociation of the chelate of Et(2)Cit with Ca(2+) was faster than that of Na(3)Cit with Ca(2+) within 10 min after injection. The recovery speed of blood calcium concentration with Et(2)Cit was more rapid than that with Na(3)Cit. The findings show that Et(2)Cit prevents hypocalcemia.
AIMS: To improve the side effects caused by sodium citrate (Na(3)Cit), the anticoagulant effects of diethyl citrate (Et(2)Cit) were investigated. METHODS: The in vitro anticoagulant effects and dissociation capacity of the chelate of Et(2)Cit with calcium ions were compared with those of Na(3)Cit in rabbits. RESULTS: The activated coagulation time test showed that blood clotting time exceeded 1,200 s when the concentrations of Et(2)Cit and Na(3)Cit were greater than 87.2 and 8.72 mmol/l, respectively. The concentrations of free calcium ions in blood c(Ca(2+)) were reduced when Et(2)Cit was injected into the rabbits. CONCLUSIONS:Et(2)Cit reduces the concentration of ionizedCa(2+) in blood and has anticoagulant effects. The dissociation of the chelate of Et(2)Cit with Ca(2+) was faster than that of Na(3)Cit with Ca(2+) within 10 min after injection. The recovery speed of blood calcium concentration with Et(2)Cit was more rapid than that with Na(3)Cit. The findings show that Et(2)Cit prevents hypocalcemia.