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DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1571877
Novel Compatible Surfaces for Cardiovascular Implants
Objective: Interventional cardiovascular implants in young children are often associated with midterm morbidities such vessel narrowing and thrombosis. The aim of our study was to develop coating surface with improved bio- and hemo-compatible qualities to overcome several blood and tissue material interactions.
Methods: The novel surfaces were developed using variant coating Methods as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and wet-chemistry process as dip-coating. As follows, several surface analyses have been performed like wetting angle measurements, surface morphology, surface roughness and composition. To test the hemo-compatibility, an ex vivo circulation model using miniaturized centrifugal pump with a maximal load volume of 16mL (Medos, Germany) was established. Different surface specimens with a diameter of 12mm were loaded on a special developed holder and inserted into the circulation system. All experiments were performed by using the whole blood of a single healthy donor, in a flow rate of 1,500mL/min for a duration of 10 minutes. After perfusion, the morphology of thrombocytes was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and adhesion number was quantitatively counted. For cytotoxicity studies, human cardiomyocytes (HCM) were cultured with the extract from each surface and LDH assay was performed to determine the membrane disintegration level and WST-1 assay to detect cells proliferation.
Results: The new developed surfaces showed a super hydrophobicity toward water, blood and proteins. Morphology and roughness are always identical, while the coatings were stable. The ultra-hydrophobic surface is highly cyto- and hemo-compatible. In comparison to control, platelets adhesion and activation is significantly reduced. Additionally, there is no cytotoxic effect on the HCM (p< 0.5).
Conclusion: This new approach represents an ultra-hydrophobic surface, which may potentially serve as coating for cardiovascular implants such stents and heart valves for the use in pediatric patients.