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New haemocompatible polymers assessed by thrombelastography.
1Academic Department of Surgery, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine, University of London, UK.
Journal of Biomedical Engineering
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Researchers explored phosphorylcholine biomaterials for reduced thrombogenicity. These materials significantly decreased platelet activation compared to traditional biomaterials like Dacron and PTFE, showing promise for medical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Hemocompatibility
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Mimicking the erythrocyte surface is key for developing nonthrombogenic biomaterials.
- Phosphorylcholine constitutes a major component of the erythrocyte outer surface, suggesting its potential for creating blood-compatible materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the thrombogenicity of materials containing phosphorylcholine.
- To compare the hemocompatibility of phosphorylcholine-based biomaterials against established materials like Dacron and PTFE.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three phosphorylcholine-containing materials: dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), diacetylenic phosphatidylcholine (DAPC), and Polyester G.
- Assessed thrombogenic potential using material thrombelastography (MTEG) with human whole blood at 37°C.
- MTEG measures blood clot elasticity without an air interface, comparing test materials against control surfaces.
Main Results:
- Phosphorylcholine materials exhibited reduced clotting factor activation.
- DPPC demonstrated superior performance compared to Dacron and PTFE.
- All three phosphorylcholine materials showed a significant reduction in platelet activation, with only 25% of that seen with PTFE.
Conclusions:
- Phosphorylcholine-containing biomaterials display promising nonthrombogenic properties, particularly in reducing platelet activation.
- These materials warrant further investigation for their potential as advanced, hemocompatible biomaterials in medical devices.