Can Air Move in While Taking Blood Sample?
Q: Doctor, I am a Diabetic person. When I gave blood sample for testing my fasting sugar at 6 AM, they took the blood from my right arm. Then at 8 AM, they again took the blood from the same place for postprandial blood sugar. At 1 PM, I am afraid regarding sucking the blood. Is there any possibility to move air into the blood vessel through the small hole which was produced while taking the blood at 6 AM? Please clear my doubt.
Reply:
Hemostasis
The hole from which the blood is taken closes after just a few seconds of blood withdrawal.
Our body has this marvelous mechanism, called hemostasis. There are certain proteins present in our blood like fibrinogen and prothrombin. Whenever a cut or hole is caused, blood starts oozing out. Blood proteins at that spot convert into fibrin and thrombin respectively. This forms a mesh like structure. Blood cells like platelets and RBC get trapped there. Also, the blood changes its physical nature from a liquid state to a gel like form. This closes the hole or cut immediately and arrests bleeding.
So, you can be rest assured that there is hardly any chance of air being sucked from such a hole.
Take Care,
Buddy M.D.
