Cell-type specific evaluation of biocompatibility of commercially available polyurethanes.

The biocompatibility of different commercially available poly(ether)urethane (PUR), medically used as main component for pump chambers of implantable ventricular assist devices (VAD), was evaluated. We investigated the influence of the PUR manufacturing process in an in vitro cytotoxicity screening assay. Human saphenous vein endothelial cells (HSVEC) and a mouse fibroblast cell line (L929) were cultivated with different PUR specimens. Tissue-cultured polystyrole (TCP) was used as a reference. The cytotoxic effect was evaluated by morphology (phase contrast microscopy), cell viability (mitochondrial acitvity), cell growth kinetics, and proliferation (incorporation of (3)H-methyl-thymidine) tests. Fibronectin-coating guaranteed the adhesion of both cell types onto the reference material. Sterilization procedure of test materials did not affect adhesion properties. L929 completely covered the surfaces of Tecothane, Carbothane, and Mecora specimens, whereas HSVEC formed an imperfect monolayer onto the PUR. The mitochondrial activity was reduced in all cell types attached to PUR. In addition, proliferation of cells was not observed when using these materials. Commercially available PUR provided an unfavorable support for colonization of patient-derived HSVEC, which demanded a surface modification. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.