Vitamin E triggers poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) embolic potential: a proposed application for endovascular surgery.

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) is a biocompatible polymer used as embolizing agent for endovascular surgery. Blending of PHEMA with a hydrophobic and anti-oxidant agent, Vitamin E (Vit.E, 0.1-10%, w/v), modified PHEMA's haemocombatibility, evaluated measuring wettability, plasma protein adsorption along with whole blood coagulation time. The presence of Vit.E increases PHEMA's hydrophobicity and plasma protein adsorption (in particular albumin and Immunoglobulin G), while it also accelerates blood clot formation. These effects are developed due to a combination of issues such as surface hydrophobicity and plasma protein adsorption induced by the presence of Vit.E, suggesting that Vit.E blending could improve the use of PHEMA as embolizing agent.