In vitro Evaluation of Hemolysis, Thrombogenicity and Endothelial Cell Cultures
For evaluation of haemocompatibility of cardiovascular prostheses and catheters and for the interaction with the vascular wall several setups and test protocols were developed. These studies were done in close cooperation with several international centers. Our protocols were taken as a basis for the development of an ASTM-guidline on in vitro tests and awarded with the Austrian State Award on Reduction of Animal Experiments.
Our test protocols include:
a) Evaluation of hemolysis with slaughterhouse blood, which is uptaken by a special atraumatic technique to minimize initial traumatization.
b) Evaluation of thrombogenicity, which can be done with human donor blood or also slaughterhouse blood. The methods allow determination of the thrombogenic potential of devices and the identification of critical areas for thrombus formation and adherence.
c) Flow simulation under sterile conditions to mimic shear stress properties in arteries, veins and vascular grafts. This system allows the testing of cell cultures, especially endothelial cells with minimal amounts of fluid including gas transfer and equilibration without a seperate oxygenator.
- Housing of a blood pump after in-vivo and in-vitro test
- Histological specimens of in-vivo and in-vitro generated thrombi
- Evaluation of hemolysis in blood pumps
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Contact Persons:
Cooperating Institutions:
Department for Pathology, Univ. of Vienna, Austria
Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Aachen, Germany
Various Companies
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References:
1. Schima, H., G. Wieselthaler, I. Schwendenwein, U. Losert, and E. Wolner. A review and assessment of investgative methods for mechanically induced blood trauma: special aspects in rotary blood pumps. In Akutsu, T. and H. Koyanagi, eds. Heart Replacement - Artificial Heart 6. Tokyo, Springer-Verlag. 1998, 361-369.
2. Müller, M. R., H. Schima, H. Engelhardt, A. Salat, DB. Olsen, U. Losert, and E. Wolner. In vitro hematological testing of rotary blood pumps: Remarks on standardization and data interpretation. Artif.Organs 17 (2): 103-110, 1993.
3. Schima, H., H. Siegl, SF. Mohammad, L. Huber, M. R. Müller, U. Losert, H. Thoma, and E. Wolner. In vitro investigation of thrombogenesis in rotary blood pumps. Artif.Organs 17 (7): 605-608, 1993.
4. Schima, H., M. R. Müller, S. Tsangaris, G. Geihseder, C. Schlusche, U. Losert, H. Thoma, and E. Wolner. In-vitro testing of blood pumps: comparsion of tubing and throttle as flow-resistors in regard to blood trauma. Artif.Organs 17 (3): 164-170, 1993.