Evaluation of a transparent blood analog fluid: aqueous xanthan gum/glycerin.

Aqueous solutions of Xanthan gum and glycerin were developed that match both the viscous and elastic components of the 2 Hz complex viscosity of blood over a broad range of shear rates (1-1000 s-1) and hematocrits (20%-80%). Measurements of wall shear rate in pulsatile flow were conducted in straight and atherogenic curved artery models using both the blood analog fluid and blood to compare their flow behavior. Peak wall shear rates determined in these models under nearly identical flow conditions with the two fluids were not statistically different (p > 0.05). These results indicate that aqueous Xanthan gum/glycerin solutions provide a good blood analog fluid for flow conditions characteristic of large arteries. Because the fluid is transparent and made from readily available and fairly inexpensive materials, it may be generally useful for in vitro hemodynamic studies, particularly those employing optical techniques.