Blood trauma testing for mechanical circulatory support devices

Preclinical hemolysis testing is a critical requirement toward demonstrating device safety for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) approval of mechanical circulatory support devices (MCSD). FDA and ASTM (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) have published guidelines to assist industry with developing study protocols. However, there can be significant variability in experimental procedures, study design, and reporting of data that makes comparison of test and predicate devices a challenge. To overcome these limitations, we present a hemolysis testing protocol developed to enable standardization of hemolysis testing while adhering to FDA and ASTM guidelines. Static mock flow loops primed with fresh bovine blood (600 mL, Hematocrit = 27±5%, heparin titrated for ACT >300 sec) from a single-source donor were created as a platform for investigating test and predicate devices. MCSD differential pressure and temperature were maintained at 80 mmHg and 25°±2° C. Blood samples (3 ml) were collected at 0, 5, 90, 180, 270, 360 minutes to measure CBC and plasma free hemoglobin. This protocol led to 510(k) approval of two adult MCSD and has been used to test novel cannulae and a pediatric MCSD. Standardization of hemolysis testing procedures and transparency of results may enable better blood trauma characterization of MCS devices to facilitate the FDA 510(k) and PMA submission processes and improve clinical outcomes.