Which anticoagulant is acceptable for the measurement of BUN?

Heparin is the anticoagulant of choice for the measurement of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) because it does not interfere with the enzymatic reactions necessary for the measurement. BUN levels are typically assessed through enzymatic methods that require a clean sample without contaminants that could potentially skew the results. Heparin prevents clotting without introducing compounds that could alter the urea measurements.

Fluoride is primarily used to inhibit glycolysis and is better suited for glucose testing, as it can interfere with other biochemical assays. Oxalate can precipitate calcium and may affect the stability of proteins that could interfere with BUN assays. Citrate is occasionally used in specific tests but may compromise the results for BUN assays due to its own calcium-binding properties, potentially affecting protein stability and the enzymatic reaction required for BUN measurement.

In summary, heparin is reliable for maintaining sample integrity for BUN measurement while avoiding interference that may arise from other anticoagulants.