Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) hydrogel coating for cylindrical polyurethane scaffolds

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Polyurethane (PU) scaffolds are used in vascular prostheses but can cause adverse biological responses.
• Improving the biocompatibility of PU materials is crucial for successful vascular graft applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) hydrogel coating for PU vascular scaffolds.
• To evaluate the impact of PVP hydrogel coating on surface properties and hemocompatibility.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PU scaffolds using the phase-inversion technique.
• Modification of PU scaffolds with PVP hydrogel via a two-step Fenton-type reaction.
• Physicochemical analysis (FTIR, SEM) and biological assays (cytotoxicity, protein adsorption, platelet adhesion).

Main Results:

• Successful application of PVP hydrogel coating confirmed by FTIR and SEM.
• Increased surface hydrophilicity and coating thickness with higher reagent concentrations.
• Significantly reduced fibrinogen adsorption and minimal platelet adhesion on modified surfaces.
• PVP coating demonstrated no cytotoxicity via MTT assay.

Conclusions:

• The PVP hydrogel coating enhances the biocompatibility of PU vascular prostheses.
• The modified PU material exhibits reduced thrombogenicity and improved hemocompatibility.
• This coating represents a promising strategy for developing advanced vascular grafts.