Development of blood compatible elastomers. II. Performance of Avcothane blood contact surfaces in experimental animal implantations.

Abstract

AbstractA family of materials referred to as Avcothane elastomers has been developed. These materials have displayed a considerable degree of blood compatibility both in vitro and in vivo, althous they do not contain any added anticoagulant and are not equipped with any suface charges in any manner.A member of this family the Avcothane‐51 elastomer, has rortinely delivered Lee‐White clotting times whose mean is close to 60 min. Long‐term aortic implantations of tubular prostheses made from this elastomer did not induce any pathological effects in swine. Results obtained in canine vena caval implantations and replacement appear to be consistent with the nonthrombogenic properties observed in vitro. This elastomer was utilized as the blood contact surface of the AERL Circular Assist Device which did not induce any significant intraluminal or intravascular thrombosis in acute implantations. An experimental model of a Left Heart Bypass Pump employing Avcothane‐51 surfaces throughout was tested in completely nonanticoagulated dogs for bypass periods ranging from 2 to 24 hr. Hematologic studies performed during these bypass periods indicated no prohibitive changes in blood composition. In the form of tri‐segmented Intra‐Aortic Balloon Pumps, the elastomer was chronically implanted in swine. The combined effects of the material and pumping of this device did not cause any significant thromboembolic or hemolytic effects which demonstrated its safe applicability to human implantations.