Haemocompatibility of paediatric membrane oxygenators with heparin-coated surfaces

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in paediatric patients with heparin-coated oxygenation systems is rarely investigated. The objective of this study wa s to evaluate, preclinically, the haemocompatibility of paediatric membrane oxygenators with heparin-coated surfaces. We compared 16 paediatric membra ne oxygenators (Minimax, Medtronic) in an in vitro heart-lung machine model with fresh human brood. Eight of these oxygenation systems had a covalent heparin coating (Carmeda bioactive surface). After 90 min simulated ECC, th e heparin-coated systems showed significantly higher platelet count, lower platelet-factor 4 release, reduced contact activation (factor Xlla and kall ikrein), and lower neutrophil elastase levels (p < 0.05), compared to the n oncoated oxygenator group. More biocompatible materials for paediatric oper ations may ameliorate the various postperfusion syndromes arising from ECC procedures, particularly unspecific inflammation, hyperfibrinolysis and blo od loss.