In vitro and in vivo evaluation of blood coagulation activation of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel plus dextran‐based vascular grafts. Issue 4 (25th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alexandre, Nuno; Costa, Elísio; Coimbra, Susana; Silva, Alice; Lopes, Ascensão; Rodrigues, Miguel; Santos, Marta; Maurício, Ana Colette; Santos, José Domingos; Luís, Ana Lúcia
• Is Part Of: Journal of biomedical materials research. Volume 103:Issue 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 1366
• Page End: 1379
• Publication Date: 2014-07-25
• Subjects: Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35275
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1549-3296

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA) is a water‐soluble synthetic polymer that is commonly used in biomedical applications including vascular grafting. It was argued that the copolymerization of PVA with dextran (Dx) can result in improvement of blood–biomaterial interactions. The focus of this experimental study was to assess that interaction through an <italic>in vivo</italic> and <italic>in vitro</italic> evaluation of the coagulation system activation. The thrombogenicity of the copolymer was determined by quantification of platelet adhesion through the lactate dehydrogenase assay, determination of whole blood clotting time, and by quantification of platelet activation by flow cytometry. The thrombin–antithrombin complex blood levels were also determined. The obtained results for the <italic>in vitro</italic> assays suggested a non‐thrombogenic profile for PVA/Dx. Additionally <italic>in vivo</italic> coagulation and hematological parameters were determined in an animal model after PVA/Dx vascular graft implantation. For coagulation homeostasis assessment, the intrinsic and extrinsic pathway's activation was determined by measuring prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Other markers of coagulation and inflammation activation including <sc>d</sc>‐dimers, interleukin‐6, and C‐reactive protein were also assessed. The PVA/Dx copolymer tended to inhibit platelet adhesion/activation process and the contact activation process for coagulation. These results were also confirmed with the <italic>in vivo</italic> experiments where the measurements for APTT, interleukin‐6, and C‐reactive protein parameters were normal considering the species normal range of values. The response to those events is an indicator of the <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> hemocompatibility of PVA/Dx and it allows us to select this biomaterial for further preclinical trials in vascular reconstruction. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 1366–1379, 2015.</p> </abstract>