Bioactive immobilization of r-hirudin on CVD-coated metallic implant devices.

The poor biocompatibility of metallic coronary stents which leads to un-satisfying restenosis rates is mainly caused by contact activation of blood cells, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. Mimicking a metal surface with a biocompatible coating that actively suppresses mechanisms leading to restenosis may overcome today's limitations regarding the complications of metal stents. Nitinol coronary stents were coated by CVD polymerization of functionalized [2.