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Four different materials, low density polyethylene (LDPE), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyvinylcholoride (PVC) and cellulose, were selected by the Devices and Technology Branch of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) as primary reference materials for blood contacting. Among the wide variety of tests proposed to assess hemocompatibility of short-term blood contacting catheters, it was desirable to rule out whether these materials could release toxics for vascular cells of the physiological environment. Thus, the cytocompatibility of these materials have been checked towards human umbilical vein endothelial cells: the method used avoids direct contact between cells and materials but evaluates the effect of possible toxic substances leached from materials. These substances were obtained under defined conditions according to a standard. The results show that the extracts of cellulose and LDPE provoke an important cytotoxic effect on the endothelial cell cultures, while the extracts of PDMS and PVC allow the obtention of endothelial cell lining of the reference surface, with a correct global metabolic activity and the intracellular presence of von Willebrand factor.

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