Phenomenology of Hemolysis in Turbulent Flows

Shear induced hemolysis (SIH) refers to the rupture of red blood cells in shear flows resulting in the release of hemoglobin into plasma. Hemolysis in turn triggers a chain of bio-chemical events involving all the components of blood leading to the formation of thrombosis (blood clots). While SIH is negligible in a healthy circulatory system, it is widespread in life saving blood contacting devices such as heart valves, ventricular assist devices, and blood pumps. Thus an accurate physical understanding of the process of hemolysis is critical towards developing better predictive models of SIH, particularly in the context of engineering future blood contacting devices that are significantly more blood cell friendly.