Does surface chemistry affect thrombogenicity of surface modified polymers?

With some exceptions, surface chemistry had little effect on platelet and leukocyte activation, and cell deposition, by scanning electron microscopy after blood exposure and clotting times among a group of 12 unmodified and plasma modified tubings. All materials activated platelets and leukocytes to detectable levels, although some materials increased the value of one activation parameter but not another. Unmodified materials [polyethylene (PE), Pellethane (PEU), latex, nylon, and Silastic] and modified materials (H(2)O plasma treated PE and PEU, CF(4) plasma treated PE, fluorinated PEU, NH(4) plasma treated PEU, polyethylene imine treated PEU, and heparin treated PEU) were characterised by XPS and contact angle. The objective of this project was to define a series of assays for the evaluation of hemocompatibility of cardiovascular devices with a view to clarify the specific requirements of ISO-10993-4, and to define an appropriate screening program for new blood contacting biomaterials. PE, PE--CF(4), PE--H(2)0, PEU--F, latex, and PEU-heparin were the exceptions to the general observations, although each behaved differently. PE proved to be least reactive, whereas PE-CF(4) was most reactive by several assays. Platelet microparticle formation (determined by flow cytometry), PTT, postblood exposure SEM, total SC5b-9, C3a, and platelet and leukocyte loss (cell counts) were able to distinguish differences among these materials, and often, but not always, showed expected correlations.