In vitro rheological evaluation of antithrombogenicity or anticoagulability of styrene derivative polymer.

In vitro evaluation of antithrombogenicity or anticoagulability of styrene derivative polymer with functional silyl groups, the polymer treated with acid, polystyrene and glass as a reference was attempted using a rheological method. The results were compared with those obtained from measurements of platelet adhesion. The coagulation process of blood in polymer-coated tubes was monitored using a damped oscillation-type rheometer recently developed. The change of fluidity during coagulation of blood was dependent on the polymers. Poly((4-vinylphenyl)dimethyl-2-propoxysilane) (poly(1)) was more antithrombogenic than polystyrene and acid-treated poly(1). The evaluation of antithrombogenicity or anticoagulability for the polymers and glass by the rheological method coincided well with that obtained from other methods. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the rheological method would be useful for elucidating mechanisms of coagulation of blood as well as thrombus formation in developing artificial blood-compatible materials.