A New Nanocomposite Copolymer Based On Functionalised Graphene Oxide for Development of Heart Valves

Evgeny A Ovcharenko,Tatiana V Glushkova,Larisa V Antonova,Amelia Seifalian,Kirill Yu Klyshnikov,Elena A Velikanova,Alexander M Seifalian,Yuliya A Kudryavceva,Evgeniya O Krivkina,Tatyana N Akenteva,Maria A Rezvova,Darya K Shishkova,Leonid S Barbarash,Georgy Yu Shevelev,Vera S Chernonosova

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-62122-8

Abstract

Polymeric heart valves seem to be an attractive alternative to mechanical and biological prostheses as they are more durable, due to the superior properties of novel polymers, and have the biocompatibility and hemodynamics comparable to tissue substitutes. This study reports a comprehensive assessment of a nanocomposite based on the functionalised graphene oxide and poly(carbonate-urea)urethane with the trade name “Hastalex” in comparison with GORE-TEX, a commercial polymer routinely used for cardiovascular medical devices. Experimental data have proved that GORE-TEX has a 2.5-fold (longitudinal direction) and 3.5-fold (transverse direction) lower ultimate tensile strength in comparison with Hastalex (p < 0.05). The contact angles of Hastalex surfaces (85.2 ± 1.1°) significantly (p < 0.05) are lower than those of GORE-TEX (127.1 ± 6.8°). The highest number of viable cells Ea.hy 926 is on the Hastalex surface exceeding 7.5-fold when compared with the GORE-TEX surface (p < 0.001). The platelet deformation index for GORE-TEX is 2-fold higher than that of Hastalex polymer (p < 0.05). Calcium content is greater for GORE-TEX (8.4 mg/g) in comparison with Hastalex (0.55 mg/g). The results of this study have proven that Hastalex meets the main standards required for manufacturing artificial heart valves and has superior mechanical, hemocompatibility and calcific resistance properties in comparison with GORE-TEX.

Highlights

Polymeric heart valves (PHV) represent an attractive alternative to existing prostheses, since they can overcome major drawbacks of tissue and mechanical heart valves
We have developed a new nanocomposite material based on the integration of functionalised graphene oxide (FGO) nanomaterials into a backbone of poly(carbonate-urea)urethane (PCU) with the trade name Hastalex
The data showed that Hastalex, a graphene-based nanocomposite material, is the new contender for the development of heart valve leaflets

Summary

Introduction

Polymeric heart valves (PHV) represent an attractive alternative to existing prostheses, since they can overcome major drawbacks of tissue and mechanical heart valves. Seifalian and co-workers developed a number of materials potentially suitable for cardiovascular devices and suppliers, including compliant polyurethane with a polycarbonate soft segment (PCU). This material was successfully commercialized and used for manufacturing vascular access grafts[15]. Vascular grafts should have similar compliance to arteries in order to avoid distal intimal hyperplasia Taking into account these differences, Seifalian’s research group has developed a novel nanocomposite polyurethane with a polycarbonate soft segment (PCU) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) for the manufacturing of polymeric heart valves[18]. Physical and mechanical properties, biostability and hemocompatibility of Hastalex should be confirmed in vitro and in vivo

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