Abstract: A method for determining a patient's likelihood of experiencing a thromboembolic event when receiving an implantable blood contacting medical device. The method includes extracting a sample of blood from the patient. The sample of blood is exposed to a metal, metal alloy, or ceramic in a test tube. The sample of the blood is agitated in the test tube. A thromboembolic marker for the sample in the test tube is measured. If the thromboembolic marker for the sample in the test tube is higher than a predetermined thromboembolic marker threshold, it is determined that the patient is likely to experience the thromboembolic event when receiving the blood contacting implantable medical device.