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 [2.2]paracyclophanes. The monomers 4-amino [2.2]paracyclophane, 4-hydroxy methyl [2.2]paracyclophane and [2.2]paracyclophane-4,5,12,13-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride were previously synthesized. A suitable installation for the CVD polymerization procedure was designed and used for the polymerization procedures. Physical and chemical properties of the polymers were shown to fulfill the requirements regarding the application as a stent coating material. The functional groups of the polymer coatings were used for the immobilization of the thrombin inhibitor r-hirudin. In vitro results indicate that the bioactively coated stents are less thrombogenic than virgin metallic stents. Surface-bound r-hirudin decreases platelet adhesion drastically due to interactions between platelets and r-hirudin.