IN-VITRO BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF A POLYURETHANE CATHETER AFTER DEPOSITIONOF FLUORINATED FILM

The in vitro biocompatibility of an experimental surface-treated polyu rethane was compared with an untreated polyurethane already used for i ntravascular catheters. The experimental surface was coated with a flu orinated film using a glow discharge treatment. Neither of the cathete rs was cytotoxic for L929 murine fibroblasts, caused platelet adhesion or release reaction, or changed the mean platelet volume. The surface -treated polyurethane, however, caused a higher adhesion of Staphyloco ccus aureus than did the untreated one. Therefore, using in vitro test ing, it has been ascertained that the examined material, though not be ing cytotoxic and not modifying platelet behaviour, could favour bacte rial adherence.