Regional anticoagulation magnetic artificial blood vessels constructed by heparin-PLCL core–shell nanofibers for rapid deployment of veno-venous bypass

Abstract

Veno-venous bypass (VVB) is necessary for maintaining hemodynamic and internal environment stabilities in complex liver surgeries. However, the current VVB strategies require systematic anticoagulation and are time-consuming, leading to unexpected complications. This study aims to overcome these limitations by using a novel magnetic artificial blood vessel constructed with heparin-PLCL core–shell nanofibers. Coaxial electrospinning was used to fabricate core–shell nanofibers with heparin encapsulated into the core layer. The microstructure, physical and chemical properties, hemocompatibility, and heparin release behavior were characterized. The regional anticoagulation magnetic artificial vessel was constructed with these nanofibers and used to perform VVB in a rat liver transplantation model for in vivo evaluation. The core–shell nanofibers appeared smooth and uniform without apparent defects. Fluorescence and TEM images indicated that heparin was successfully encapsulated into the core layer. In addition, the in vitro heparin release test presented a two-phase release profile, burst release at day 1 and sustained release from days 2 to 14, which resulted in better hemocompatibility. The VVB could be rapidly deployed in 3.65 ± 0.83 min by the magnetic artificial vessel without systemic anticoagulation. Moreover, the novel device could reduce portal pressure and abdominal organ congestion, protect intestinal function, and increase the survival rate of liver transplantation with a long anhepatic phase from 0 to 65%. In summary, VVB can be rapidly deployed using regional anticoagulation magnetic artificial blood vessels without systemic anticoagulation, which is promising for improving patient outcomes after complex liver surgery.