Heparin surfaces: Impact of immobilization chemistry on hemocompatibility and protein adsorption.

Immobilization of heparin to surfaces has been used for decades to reduce the thrombogenicity of blood contacting devices. This study evaluates how the mode of covalent heparin bonding affects the hemocompatibility and uptake of antithrombin on surfaces in whole blood. End-point attached (EPA) heparin, using the proprietary Carmeda Bioactive Surface (CBAS Surface), was compared with other methods of covalent heparin bonding that typically yield multiple covalent linkages (using reductive amination of periodate oxidized native heparin or EDC coupling of native heparin).