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The biocompatibility of artificial organs
F J Schoen1, G P Clagett, J D Hill
1Department of Pathology, Brigham's Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
ASAIO Transactions
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Antithrombotic therapy is crucial for preventing blood clots in artificial heart patients. Early aspirin and dextran-40 may help, but long-term use is not recommended.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Thromboembolic events are common in patients with long-term artificial heart devices.
- Current anticoagulation regimens show inconclusive results.
- Mechanical cardiac valve failure is often due to thrombosis or degeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of antithrombotic therapy in preventing thromboembolic events associated with artificial circulatory support and vascular prostheses.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of various anticoagulation strategies.
- To explore the mechanisms of complement activation on artificial surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical trials and experimental studies on antithrombotic agents.
- Analysis of factors influencing graft patency and artificial organ performance.
- Examination of complement activation pathways on biomaterials.
Main Results:
- Antithrombotic therapy is vital for preventing vascular prosthesis occlusion.
- Early low-dose aspirin and dextran-40 show promise for synthetic grafts.
- Complement activation via the alternate pathway is observed on hemodialysis membranes.
Conclusions:
- Antithrombotic therapy is essential for managing artificial circulatory support and vascular prostheses.
- Specific therapies like aspirin and dextran-40 are beneficial in early healing phases.
- Understanding biomaterial interactions is key to minimizing adverse biologic responses.