Platelet adhesion on a bioresorbable poly(propylene fumarate-co-ethylene glycol) copolymer

Platelet adhesion and aggregation on poly(propylene fumarate-co-ethylene glycol), P(PF-co-EG), hydrogels was examined under both static and flow conditions. Adherent platelets were quantified under static conditions using both 111Indium oxine-labeled platelets as well as a lactate dehydrogenase, LDH, assay. The radiolabeling assay showed a significant decrease in platelet attachment on the copolymer hydrogel films relative to the poly(propylene fumarate), PPF, homopolymer. In addition, there were reductions in adhesion resulting from the increase in poly(ethylene glycol), PEG, weight percent or molecular weight. There was good agreement between both assays under static conditions for the copolymer films. Platelet surface coverage was quantified under flow conditions in a parallel plate flow chamber using the LDH assay. There was a dramatic decrease in the number of adherent platelets on the copolymers relative to glass and silicone rubber controls. All of the copolymer surfaces showed minimal aggregation with no thrombus formation or platelet spreading as assessed qualitatively using scanning electron microscopy. These results suggest that P(PF-co-EG) is a good candidate for development as a cardiovascular implant.