How long blood can be preserved in lavender top vacutainer?

The lavender-top tube contains EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as an anticoagulant. It is commonly used for hematology tests such as complete blood counts (CBC), differential counts, and blood smears. EDTA prevents the blood from clotting by binding to calcium ions, which are necessary for the coagulation process. The lavender-top tube can preserve blood for up to 24 hours at room temperature or for up to 48 hours when refrigerated. However, it is generally recommended to process the blood sample as soon as possible to ensure accurate results.