Influence of a preadsorbed terpolymer on human platelet accumulation, fibrinogen adsorption, and ex vivo blood activation in hemodialysis hollow fibers

Abstract
Results are presented on kinetics of platelet accumulation in charged polyacrylonitrile (AN69) hollow fibers by continuous data recording under flow conditions (wall shear rate 108-1050 s-1), using suspensions of washed 111In-labeled human platelets in Tyrode's-albumin buffer, containing washed red blood cells (0-40%). Preadsorption of a terpolymer of acrylonitrile, poly(ethyleneoxide) methacrylate and trimethylaminoethyl chloride methacrylate leads to very efficient passivation with respect to platelet accumulation and fibrinogen adsorption. In human ex vivo tests, evaluation of complement peptide C3a, platelet βthromboglobulin, leucocyte-polymorphonuclear neutrophile elastase and fibrinopeptide A shows no detectable activation. Furthermore, preadsorption appears to result in simultaneous improvement in hemocompatibility of the blood lines leading to and from the dialysis module. This single pretreatment of dialysis membranes should allow injection of lower doses of anticoagulant to patients submitted to hemodialysis.