Analysis of the Adsorbed Plasma Proteins in the Moving Actuator type Total Artificial Heart

Plasma protein adsorption is the first event in the blood-material interaction and influenc- es subsequent platelet adhesion towards thlㅈombus formation. Thiㅈomboembolic events are strongly influenced by surface characteristics of materials and fluid dynamics inside the blood pump. In vitro flow visualizaion and an amimal experiment with the moving actuator type TAH were Performed in order to investigate fluid dynamic effects on the protein adsorption. The diffel'encl level, j of shear rate inside the ventricle Lvere determined by consid- ering the direction of the major opening of four healt valves in the implanted TAH and the visualized flow patterns as well. Each ventricle of the explanted TAH was sectionalized into 12 segments according to the shear rate level. The adsorbed protein on each segment was quantified using the ELISA method after soaking in 2% (wye)SDS/PBS for two days. Adsorbed protein layer thicknesses Itvere measured by the Immunogotd method under TEM. The SEM observation show that right ventricle (RV) , immobilized with albumin, displayed different degrees of platelet adhesion on each segment, whereas the left ventricle (LV), grafted by PEO-sulronate, indicated nearly , iame platelet adhesion behavior, regardless of shear rates. The surface concentrations of adsorbed proteins in the low shear rate region are hlghel'than those in the high region, which was confirmed statistically. A modified adsorption model of plasma protein onto polyurethane surface was suggested by considering the effect of the fluid dynamic characteristics.