New fibrin containing thermoplastic elastomers for cardiovascular applications

New biocompatible and hemocompatib1e materials for applications in the cardiocirculatory system have been obtained by blending segmented polyurethane (SP) and human fibrinogen (H-FBNG) and by subsequent transformation of it into cross-linked human fibrin (H-FBN) by action of thrombin, factor XIII and calcium ions. The fairly low fibrinogen release (15%) from the blend and the DSC analysis seem to prove the presence of strong interaction operative on a molecular level between SP and H-FBNG. The transformation of the SP-(H-FBNG) blend into SP-(H-FBN) blend is confirmed by DSC analysis that shows the disappearance of a characteristic transition at 90°C present in H-FBNG and not in H-FBN. Preliminary results of "in vitro" and "in vivo" experiments of hemocompatibility of these materials are described.