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Published on: June 2, 2022
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.
Background:
Heart valve diseases remain a leading cause of death in industrialized nations. Polycarbonate urethane (PCU) is a promising material for heart valve prostheses due to its biocompatibility and low calcification tendency. However, the impact of processing methods on calcification remains unclear.
Methods:
PCU patches were fabricated via hot pressing or solution casting. Both groups (n = 3 each), along with bovine pericardium patches as positive controls (n = 3), were incubated for 10 weeks in a custom in vitro calcification fluid. Calcification, cytocompatibility, and material properties were assessed using light and electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
Results:
Calcification was observed in hot-pressed PCU and control patches but not in solution-cast PCU. Both PCU types showed comparable cytocompatibility. Spectroscopy and GPC revealed chemical and structural changes in hot-pressed PCU, likely promoting calcification.
Conclusion:
Hot pressing alters the chemical structure of PCU and increases its calcification propensity without affecting cytocompatibility. These findings highlight the importance of process control and in vitro screening during heart valve material development.
