New polyurethane compositions able to bond high amounts of both albumin and heparin. Part I

In order to prepare polymers provided with better haemocompatibility with respect both to the coagulative cascade and to platelet aggregation and activation, we have synthesized new polyurethanes containing in the chain-extender [di(2-hydroxyethyl)hexadecylamine] both a long chain alkyl group (able to bond albumin) and a tertiary ammonium group able, after suitable quaternization reaction, to bind ionically significant amounts of heparin. The amounts of heparin and albumin bonded to the polymer films were determined spectrophotometrically. A biological in vitro evaluation of the heparinized and albuminized films was also carried out with respect to blood coagulation factors (by activated partial thromboplastin time measurements) and to platelet adhesion and activation (by platelet count and scanning electron microscopy examination). It was seen that the type of adsorption sequence for albumin and heparin, respectively, onto the various homo- and copolymer films, plays an important role on their biological properties; the possible mechanisms involved are also discussed on the basis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated transmission reflectance evaluation of the polymer surfaces.