A Novel Anticoagulation Method Based on Electrochemical Characteristics of Blood: An in vitro Study

Abstract

This in vitro experimental investigation aimed to provide a novel method for preventing blood clotting based on the electrochemical characteristics of blood. Using this method in cases such as dialysis can minimize the risk of blood clots and also avoid hemorrhagic risk for patients. Blood samples were collected from 13 sheep (45 kg) (25 mL), and the clotting time (CT) was measured using a 20-min cutoff after they were separated into control and experimental samples. The test blood sample was put in a cell designed with two aluminum electrodes (positive pole/anode) located in a container containing 0.9% sodium chloride (as a salt bridge) and a platinum (negative pole/cathode) linked to a power supply (−3.5 V, 1 mA/cm²). Biochemical and hematological tests to check blood damage and clotting were performed. The control sample coagulated after 8 min, while the electrified blood did not, even at the end of the cutoff time. Among hematologic and biochemical tests, the average time of prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) was significantly different between the control and test samples (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Our findings on electrified blood with expanding CT, PT, and PTT times revealed that the electric current passing through the blood enhanced the CT. Furthermore, no change in biochemical or hematological factors demonstrated that this current had no detrimental effect on the blood.