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In Vitro Calcification Evaluation of Polycarbonate Urethane-Impact of Production Processes
Jan Ritter1, Christoph Schmitz1, Stephan Rütten2
1Department of Cardiovascular Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
Artificial Organs
|October 13, 2025
Summary
Hot pressing polycarbonate urethane (PCU) for heart valves increases calcification risk due to structural changes, while solution casting avoids this. Material processing significantly impacts PCU performance in cardiovascular applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cardiovascular Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Heart valve diseases are a major cause of mortality in industrialized countries.
- Polycarbonate urethane (PCU) shows potential for heart valve prostheses due to good biocompatibility and low calcification.
- The influence of PCU processing methods on calcification is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of different processing methods (hot pressing vs. solution casting) on PCU calcification.
- To assess the cytocompatibility and material property changes in PCU after processing.
- To determine the suitability of PCU for heart valve applications based on processing-induced alterations.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PCU patches using hot pressing and solution casting.
- In vitro incubation of PCU and bovine pericardium patches in a calcification fluid for 10 weeks.
- Assessment of calcification, cytocompatibility, and material properties via microscopy, spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
Main Results:
- Hot-pressed PCU and control patches exhibited calcification, unlike solution-cast PCU.
- Both PCU types demonstrated similar cytocompatibility.
- Spectroscopy and GPC indicated chemical and structural modifications in hot-pressed PCU, correlating with increased calcification.
Conclusions:
- Hot pressing alters PCU's chemical structure, enhancing its propensity for calcification without compromising cytocompatibility.
- These findings underscore the critical role of process control in developing heart valve materials.
- In vitro screening is essential for evaluating the long-term performance of processed biomaterials.
