A Technology for Anti-Thrombogenic Drug Coating of Small-Diameter Biodegradable Vascular Prostheses

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Vascular Surgery
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Biodegradable porous scaffolds are crucial for vascular prostheses.
• Developing effective anti-thrombogenic coatings is essential for graft success.
• Current prostheses face challenges with thrombosis and hemocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a technology for anti-thrombogenic drug coating on biodegradable scaffolds.
• To assess the physicomechanical and hemocompatible properties of coated vascular prostheses.
• To evaluate the efficacy of unfractionated heparin and iloprost coatings.

Main Methods:

• Emulsion electrospinning used to create prostheses from polyhydroxybutyrate/valerate and polycaprolactone.
• Incorporation of growth factors and chemoattractants within the scaffolds.
• Hydrogel coating with polyvinylpyrrolidone for drug complexation and binding.
• Application of unfractionated heparin and iloprost as anti-thrombogenic agents.

Main Results:

• Coated prostheses showed a 5.8-fold increase in Young's modulus, indicating enhanced stiffness.
• Platelet aggregation decreased 3.3-fold compared to unmodified controls.
• The drug-coated surface resisted platelet and blood protein adhesion.

Conclusions:

• Drug coating significantly improved the anti-thrombogenic properties of biodegradable vascular prostheses.
• The addition of unfractionated heparin and iloprost enhanced graft hemocompatibility.
• Increased stiffness was observed as a consequence of the drug coating modification.