The interaction of blood components with PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) and LDPE (low-density polyethylene) in a baboon ex vivo arteriovenous shunt model.

The interaction of 111Indium-labeled platelets, and other blood components with the luminal surface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was determined using an ex vivo arteriovenous shunt in the baboon. Both PDMS and LDPE showed little platelet accumulation at either high (200 cc/min) flow rates. PDMS accumulated more platelets at low than at high flow. When the surfaces of PDMS and LDPE were examined under scanning electron microscopy after 2.5 h of flow in the shunt circuit, red and white blood cells were attached. Platelets appeared to be confined to patchy areas covered by a fibrinlike network. The low platelet reactivity of LDPE and PDMS suggests their potential use as coatings for conventional, more platelet reactive vascular graft materials.