Antithrombogenicity of Hydromer's polymeric formula F202 immobilized on polyurethane and electropolished stainless steel.

Hydromer's heparin-polymer complex (F202) was applied to polyurethane film and electropolished medical grade stainless steel. The presence of heparin on the surface was confirmed by FT-IR and immunofluorescent histochemistry. The F202 polymer was nonthrombogenic and the development of thrombi on these surfaces after exposure to recalcified human whole blood was minimal or absent. Platelet adhesion to these F202-coated surfaces, compared to control (uncoated) surfaces, was low or absent after exposure to platelet-rich plasma as determined by fluorescent staining and by immunohistochemistry. Our F202 polymer was not hemolytic after exposure to human erythrocytes and was not cytotoxic in a standard cytotoxic protocol. The F202 polymer could prove useful as an antithrombogenic coating for preventing thrombus formation on medical implants and catheters.