Study on antithrombogenicity of poly[beta-(acetylsalicylyloxy)ethyl methacrylate] relative to poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

The antithrombogenicity of a polymer made of aspirin bound to hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), abbreviated as ASA-polymer, was compared with that of poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA). Platelet from platelet rich plasma (PRP) incubated with ASA-polymer surface exhibited noticeable decreases in adhesion and aggregation as compared to platelets incubated with PHEMA. Low molecular weight components other than aspirin, which may be released from ASA-polymer during the incubation with PRP, or contact with ASA-polymer causing denaturation of platelets without morphological changes could be responsible for the decrease of adhesion and aggregation. Both PRP and PPP exposed to ASA-polymer-coated surfaces exhibited a much smaller partial thromboplastin time (PTT) than if exposed to PHEMA-coated surfaces; the PTT of ASA-polymer was similar to that of glass exposed plasma. With respect to the in vivo antithrombogenicity, the ASA-polymer surface led to thrombus formation. This may be due to the partial hydrolysis of the acetyl groups resulting in the formation of a negatively charged surface which in turn accelerates the coagulation cascade despite its inhibitory effects on platelet adhesion and aggregation. On the other hand, neointima formed around a thrombus layer on PHEMA-coated sutures after 14 days.