POLY(BUTYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) HEMOCOMPATIBILITY AFTER PHYSICOCHEMICAL TREATMENT IN ORDER TO INCREASE WETTABILITY

We evaluated the haemocompatibility of a filter of poly(butylene terep hthalate) for packed red cell transfusions, which had undergone a phys icochemical treatment (corona treatment) in order to reduce the fillin g time. Leucocyte, erythrocyte and platelet counts were carried out an d haematological and coagulation parameters were examined before and a fter filtration. Moreover, some biochemical plasma parameters were eva luated, which are normally checked in hospitalized patients. The resul ts obtained show that the filter treatment reduces the filling time, d oes not reduce the efficiency in retaining leucocytes and platelets, a nd does not induce alterations in filtered red blood cells. However, t he treatment prolongs the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and reduces the activity of some factors of the intrinsic coagulation pathway. On the other hand, it does not induce modifications in the b iochemical parameters examined.