Abstract
Hemolysis test has been used to predict the hemocompatibility of blood pump. However, many factors can influence the results of hemolysis index. Blood viscosity will change by shear stress, and hemolysis induced by shear stress in blood pump. Pump drive condition varies with the change of blood viscosity. Only load condition of pump is prescribed by ASTM and blood viscosity has been not considered. In this study, the influence of blood viscosity on NIH will be investigated. Using fresh porcine blood, which was diluted with dextran 40 and 0.9% saline, we made two kinds of test blood which varied in viscosity at the same hematocrit (Ht). The hemolysis tests were performed in the same load condition using an equivalence pump. In addition, we also made two kinds of test blood which varied in Ht with the same viscosity. The hemolysis tests were performed. When blood viscosity was different, the difference of NIH was observed. In the condition which has the same blood viscosity and load condition, the significant difference was not seen in NIH. From the result, it's considered that it's necessary to match blood viscosity, rather than match Ht for the adjustment of blood in hemolysis test.
