Surface modification with functionally active heparin.

Efforts to improve the blood compatibility of artificial materials have involved coating the surfaces with heparin. However, the anticoagulation activity of heparin is based on its binding to antithrombin, and if the specific structure involved in this interaction is compromised by the coating procedure, then the activity is lost. Surface modification with end-point-immobilized heparin has been found to be successful in inhibiting coagulation factors and minimizing complement activation.