Abstract
Frequent cracking occurring on the surface of segmented polyurethane has called for a revival of the silicone elastomer (SE) as pacemaker lead. SE has suffisient biocompatibility, but is diffisult to handle and its durability needs to be improved. Given that a diamond-like carbon coating on SE was expected to improve these aspects, we examined the efficacy of DLC. A DLC-coated SE (DLC) tube was compared with non coated SE (SE) tube. The friction resistance of DLC was less than 25% that of SE. Intravascular placement of either material in the rabbit jugular vein yielded equal tissue compatibility. Concussion-and-dipping test showed that DLC was inferior to SE in terms of platelets and β-TG, but no significant difference as of TAT or C3a. DLC activated platelets but almost equal in term of TAT and complement-fixation reaction. DLC coating seems to improve the physical properties of SE without compromising its tissue compatibility or antithrombotic character, when used to cover the suface of pacemaker lead.
