Biocompatibility and degradation studies of poly(L-lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate) copolymers as cardiac occluders

Poly(L-lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate) (PLT) copolymers were synthesized by ring opening polymerization of L-lactide (LLA) and trimethylene carbonate (TMC). The resulting copolymers were characterized by using 1H NMR, GPC, DSC and tensile tests. The copolymer properties are dependent on the TMC content. In vitro degradation of copolymers was carried out in pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline at 37 °C. The results show that copolymers with higher TMC content are more resistant to degradation. The cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility of copolymers were evaluated from MTT assay, hemolysis test, dynamic clotting time and plasma recalcification time. Results indicate that the copolymers present very low cytotoxicity and good hemocompatibility.