The characterization of intima development in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and total artificial heart (TAH).

1. The study of PNI development provides useful information in the design and improvement of the prosthetic devices. 2. Improved gelatin aldehyde impregnation on the dacron covered diaphragm of cardiac prostheses resulted in a reduced PNI thickness and minimized interfacial degeneration of PNI. 3. The PNI on the diaphragm's surface started with a platelet rich interface and ended with a striated fibrin and platelet matrix at the blood interface. 4. The PNI in the TAH's had a higher involvement of polymorphonuclear leukocytic cells at the PNI-housing or diaphragm interface than the LVAD's. 5. The aldehyde treated pericardial surface of cardiac prostheses generated a thin PNI that was fibrin-rich, a viable cell infiltration, no interfacial degeneration, and endothelial-like cells on its surface.