Enhanced patency of small-diameter tubings after surface immobilization of heparin fragments. A study in the dog.

Abstract

The luminal surfaces of polyethylene and polyurethane tubings of 1 mm inner diameter and 1 m in length were coated with heparin by end point attachment and thereafter sterilized in ethylene oxide. The tubings were inserted as arterio-venous shunts from the aorta to the superior caval vein via a carotid artery and a jugular vein. Patency was assessed with an ultrasound doppler flow meter and flow measurements. All nonheparinized shunts occluded within 10 days with a mean elapsed time from the insertion of the tubing is the last positive doppler registration being 3.5 days. The corresponding patency time for heparinized shunts was 25.9 days. The occlusion of the heparinized tubings was due to the incorporation of the ends of the tubings in the walls of aorta and caval vein, whereas the nonheparinized tubings occluded as a result of clot formation. It is concluded that surface immobilization of heparin with sequences capable of activating antithrombin may be beneficial in the development of small-diameter vascular protheses.