PB1161 - Investigation of coagulation characteristics in animal blood used for development of cardiovascular devices

Background: Cardiovascular devices such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenators have been widely used, and new devices with further antithrombotic properties have also been developed to prevent clot formation in the devices. The verification is performed by blood from animals like bovine and porcine before clinical trial. However, the coagulation characteristics and the difference between human and these animals have not been adequately investigated in the system.

Aims: The objectives of this study were to compare the coagulation ability between human, bovine and porcine for development of cardiovascular device.

Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from three individual bovine and porcine, respectively, and human pooled normal plasma (PNP) was used as the reference material. Unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), and fondaparinux (FPX) were spiked into each plasma sample at the final concentration of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 IU/mL for UFH and LMWH, and 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 microg/mL for FPX. The coagulation ability was evaluated by thrombin generation assay (TGA) with commercial kits.

Results: The mean values of peak in TGA were 124.1 nM, 136.1 nM, and 428.4 nM in human PNP, bovine and porcine, respectively. The values were remarkably decreased, and the peak was not recognized in human and bovine samples with UFH, LMWH and FPX. In contrast, the peak values were gradually decreased and the clear dose-response was recognized in porcine samples. The peak values at the maximum concentration in UFH, LMWH and FPX were 144.2 nM, 59.9 nM and 211.9 nM, respectively.

Conclusion(s): Porcine plasma showed higher coagulation ability than human and bovine plasmas in TGA. When animal blood is employed for the development of cardiovascular devices, it is important to understand the characteristics of each animal blood and select an appropriate animal for the evaluation system.