Non-thrombogenicity of organic polymers by blending with alkylamine-heparin complexes.

Abstract

Alkylamine-heparin complexes having alkylamines of different chain lengths were prepared. The complexes were slightly soluble in water, but soluble in many organic solvents. The solubilities of complexes in organic solvent were controlled by the chain length of the alkylamine. The intrinsic antithrombogenicity of heparin was not affected by complexing with alkylamines. The alkylamine-heparin complexes were blended with organic polymers or coated on the surface of polymer membranes. The blended or coated polymer membranes suppressed adhesion and activation of platelets and were highly non-thrombogenic by releasing the complexes in in vitro and ex vivo experiments.