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Surface properties and blood compatibility of commercially available diamond‐like carbon coatings for cardiovascular devices
Author(s) -
Fedel Mariangela,
Motta Antonella,
Maniglio Devid,
Migliaresi Claudio
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.31291
Subject(s) - adsorption , materials science , wetting , diamond like carbon , compatibility (geochemistry) , protein adsorption , chemical engineering , platelet , albumin , fibrinogen , human serum albumin , nanotechnology , composite material , chemistry , chromatography , thin film , organic chemistry , polymer , biochemistry , engineering , immunology , biology
The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between the surface properties and blood compatibility of in‐use diamond‐like carbon (DLC) coatings for cardiovascular components. Commercially available DLC films were characterized with respect to surface topography and wettability, protein adsorption from human plasma, and platelets adhesion/activation. Fibrinogen (Fng) and human serum albumin (HSA) adsorbed onto the sample surfaces were in particular quantified as two of the main proteins involved in blood compatibility. A low tendency of platelets to spread and form aggregates onto the DLC‐coated surfaces has been described and related to a low Fng‐to‐HSA adsorption ratio. This study provides evidence that the rapid and tenacious binding of albumin molecules to DLC materials tends to passivate the surfaces and to inhibit Fng adsorption, thus imparting thromboresistance to the carbon coatings by rendering the surfaces less adhesive and activating for platelets. Albumin preferential adsorption was ascribed to high chemical heterogeneity of the DLC sample surfaces. The DLC films tested present a favorable behavior as regards blood compatibility with respect to platelet thrombus formation by reason of their surface properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009