Lantbanum oxide films were fabricated using dual plasma deposition. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that La existed in the +3 oxidation state. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a (101) oriented hexagonal structure. Blood platelet adhesion tests and endothelial cell cultures were used to evaluate the hemocompatibility of the as-deposited films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy were employed to evaluate the surface morphology of the blood platelets and endothelial cells on the films. The results showed that the number of adhered, aggregated and morphologically changed platelets was reduced compared to that observed on low-temperature isotropic carbon (LTIC). Endothelial cells culture tests indicated good adhesion and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells ill vitro. Our study suggests that lanthanum oxide films are potential blood-contacting biomedical materials. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.