Hemolytic impact of central venous catheters on fresh whole blood

An in vitro study was conducted to determine the degree of hemolysis of fresh whole blood, transfused at rates of 10, 20, and 40 ml per hour through three different sizes of central venous catheters by using the same piston-type syringe pump. The catheter lengths were 20 cm, 30 cm and 30 cm; the intraluminal calibers were 0.18 mm, 0.30 mm and 0.51 mm, respectively. A total of 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled as blood donors. Nine 20-ml aliquots of fresh whole blood were obtained from each donor. These samples were assigned to infuse through nine infusion combinations of three different-gauge catheters with each of three different speeds. Three hemolysis parameters which included red blood cell counts, hematocrit and plasma potassium of the effluent were measured and compared with those of the controls (preinfusion). The results showed no significant hemolysis during passage through any infusion system. It was concluded that fresh whole blood may be transfused at regular rates through these three fine-bore central venous catheters without fear of hemolysis.