Hemolysis in capillary flow.

Abstract

Abstract Heparizined steer blood was sheared in a capillary flow field. By analyzing the amount of hemoglobin in the plasma before and after shearing, the extent of mechanically induced hemolysis was determined. Among the parameters which were varied were tube geometry (lengths, 10 to 40 cm.; diameters, 0.01 to 0.04 inch), wall shear stress (to 8,000 dynes per square centimeter), hematocrit (0.20 to 0.43), and capillary material. Several aspects of the experimental results indicated that hemolysis occurs because of interactions of uncertain character between the red cells and the wall and is related to cell velocities near the wall. Of particular interest was the varied influence of different tube material and/or roughness.