title: Biocompatibility of a silicone-coated polypropylene hollow fiber oxygenator in an in vitro model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A silicone-coated microporous hollow-fiber membrane oxygenator has been developed to prevent plasma leakage during long-term use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of the oxygenator.
  
  
  METHODS
  A silicone-coated oxygenator was compared with an uncoated oxygenator in an in vitro model of cardiopulmonary bypass. Simulated circulation was maintained for 6 h at 37 degrees C.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Platelet counts decreased significantly (p < 0.05) and leukocyte counts tended to decline; however, the differences between groups were not significant. Concentrations of C3a increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.05), but levels were significantly less in the silicone-coated oxygenator (p = 0.008). In contrast, concentrations of C4a, beta-thromboglobulin, and granulocyte elastase increased significantly (p < 0.05), but the differences between groups were not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Silicone coating over a microporous hollow-fiber membrane may improve biocompatibility by reducing C3a activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata City, Japan. watanabe@med.niigata-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohzeki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugawara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eguchi
mesh_terms: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000032:analysis*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010107:Oxygenators, Membrane; D010976:Platelet Count; D012828:Silicones; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D012828:Silicones; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D015926:Complement C3a