Antibacterial copper-filled TiO₂ coating of cardiovascular implants to prevent infective endocarditis-A pilot study

Infective endocarditis (IE) poses a significant health risk, especially in patients with prosthetic heart valves. Despite advances in treatment, mortality rates remain high. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial properties of a copper titanium dioxide (4× Cu-TiO₂) coating on cardiovascular implants against Staphylococcus aureus, a common causative agent of IE.

Titanium oxide carriers functionalized with copper ions were employed as an antibacterial coating for heart and vascular prostheses. The coating's antibacterial efficacy was assessed using S. aureus ATCC 29213. Microscopic evaluations were conducted on both biological and artificial materials. Antibacterial activity was qualitatively assessed via a modified disc diffusion method and quantitatively measured through colony counts in NaCl suspensions.

The coating process was successfully applied to all tested cardiovascular prosthetic materials. Qualitative assessments of antibacterial effectiveness revealed an absence of bacterial growth in the area directly beneath the coated valve. Quantitative evaluations showed a significant reduction in bacterial colonization on coated mechanical valves, with 2.95 × 10⁴ CFU per valve, compared to 1.91 × 10⁵ CFU in control valves.

The 4× Cu-TiO₂ coating demonstrated promising antibacterial properties against S. aureus, suggesting its potential as an effective strategy for reducing the risk of bacterial colonization of cardiovascular implants. Further studies are needed to assess the longevity of the coating and its efficacy against other pathogens.