Centrifugal pumps may have lower hemolysis rates than roller pumps at low flow

Rates of hemolysis in bovine blood were measured by 4-h in vitro tests with a centrifugal pump and conventional roller pump. Flow rates of 0.3 L/min and 1 L/min and pressure of 200 mmHg were chosen to simulate conditions during neonatal extracorporeal oxygenation. There were no significant differences in index of hemolysis between pumps or flow rates. The overall hemolysis index for both pumps was 20 mg/100L. Low blood trauma recorded for the centrifugal pump confirms that it would be suitable for use in extracorporeal oxygenation