In vivo platelet deposition on polytetrafluoroethylene coated with fibrin glue containing fibroblast growth factor 1 and heparin in a canine model

: We previously reported that the coating of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) with fibrin glue containing fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) and heparin accelerates endothelial coverage of grafts implanted into animals. We report here the effect of this surface modification on early platelet deposition. : Nine dogs received 7-cm ePTFE grafts, 60-μm internodal distance, 4-mm internal diameter, as bilateral aortoiliac implants, one coated (luminal cross section and abluminal surface) with fibrin glue (fibrinogen 32.1 mg/mL, thrombin 0.32 U/mL) containing FGF-1 (11 ng/mL) and heparin (250 U/mL), the other uncoated. After 5, 30, or 120 minutes of circulation with blood containing autologous platelets radiolabeled with indium 111, γ emissions were quantitated on explants and correlated to surface areas measured by computerized planimetry. : Both global and segmental comparisons showed significantly (P<0.05, Studentʹs t-test) less platelet deposition on coated than on uncoated grafts after 120 minutes of circulation, but no difference at 5 and 30 minutes. : In this model, ePTFE coating with fibrin glue containing FGF-1 and heparin shows no adverse effect on early platelet deposition.