Blood haemolysis by ceramics.

Ceramics are more and more frequently under consideration for construction of blood-contacting devices, i.e. cardiac valves or cardiac assist devices. This study evaluated the haemolysis eventually initiated in vitro by ceramic powders (Al2O3, ZrO2/Y2O3, AlN, B4C, BN, SiC, Si3 N4, TiB2, TiN, TiC), graphite and diamond. The chemical composition of the powders was studied by X-ray microprobe and various other methods, and BET specific areas were determined. The haemolysis was almost zero for all powders, except AlN which showed slight haemolysis and TiB2 which had high haemolytic power.