Haemocompatibility of paediatric membrane oxygenators with heparin-coated surfaces

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in paediatric patients with heparin-coated oxygenation systems is rarely investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate, preclinically, the haemocompatibility of paediatric membrane oxygenators with heparin-coated surfaces. We compared 16 paediatric membrane oxygenators (Minimax, Medtronic) in an in vitro heart-lung machine model with fresh human blood. Eight of these oxygenation systems had a covalent heparin coating (Carmeda bioactive surface). After 90 min simulated ECC, the heparin-coated systems showed significantly higher platelet count, lower platelet-factor 4 release, reduced contact activation (factor XIIa and kallikrein), and lower neutrophil elastase levels (p < 0.05), compared to the noncoated oxygenator group. More biocompatible materials for paediatric operations may ameliorate the various postperfusion syndromes arising from ECC procedures, particularly unspecific inflammation, hyperfibrinolysis and blood loss.