Antithrombogenicity of Hydromer's polymeric formula F202TM 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. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008