In vitro testing of surface thrombogenicity using the thrombelastograph.
Synthetic surfaces can be assessed for their ability to promote or inhibit whole blood coagulation with improved accuracy using a new protocol developed for the Thrombelastograph instrument. Results obtained from the analysis of the hydrodynamic state of blood clotting in Thrombelastograph chambers have enabled a quantitative interpretation of the output of this instrument to be made. The thrombogenic properties of a segmented polyurethane and a polydimethyl siloxane are compared with a preparation of reconstituted elastin. It is seen that a four-fold delay in clotting time is exhibited by reconstituted elastin when it is compared with other biomedical synthetic materials tested.