Ex vivo model of an immobilized-enzyme reactor.

Immobilized-enzyme reactors are beginning to be studied for a variety of therapeutic applications. To facilitate the design of these devices for different clinical situations and a diverse patient population, mathematical models may be valuable. An immobilized-heparinase (EC 4.2.2.7) reactor was selected as a model system. The device removes heparin from blood that has been anticoagulated to prevent thrombus formation. Heparinase was immobilized to cross-linked agarose particles. A mathematical model was developed to describe the clearance of heparin by the reactor ex vivo and compared to experimental clearances measured in sheep. The model accounted for enzymatic degradation as well as the binding of heparin and its breakdown products to antithrombin. The device was modeled as a steady-state continuously stirred tank reactor. Molar conservation equations within the agarose particles accounted for simultaneous diffusion and chemical reaction. The model had no adjustable parameters and was able to predict the clearance of heparin within 5-25% for three different animals and 12 different perfusions.