Green‐top vacutainers are blood collection tubes used in clinical laboratories for tests requiring heparin anticoagulant. The green cap indicates that the tube contains sodium heparin or lithium heparin, which prevents blood from clotting so samples can be used for plasma chemistry panels, electrolytes, ammonia levels, and certain biochemical assays.
These tubes are designed for venous blood collection with a vacuum seal that draws a precise volume of blood when a compatible needle and holder are used. The heparin additive helps preserve sample integrity for accurate laboratory analysis. Green‐top vacutainers come in various sizes (e.g., 5 mL, 7 mL), and the polymer or glass tubes are typically clearly labeled for easy identification in the lab.