Coronary Stents Decorated by Heparin/NONOate Nanoparticles for Anticoagulant and Endothelialized Effects

In the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), the use of stent implantation often leads to clinical complications such as restenosis, delayed endothelial healing, and thrombosis. Here, we develop a double drug sustained-release coating for the stent surface by grafting heparin/NONOate nanoparticles (Hep/NONOates). The Hep/NONOates and surface modification of the stent were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, static water contact angle, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the release behaviors of the anticoagulant, heparin (Hep) and the bioactive molecule, nitric oxide (NO) were studied. Furthermore, the blood compatibility and cytotoxicity of the modified stent were evaluated by whole blood adhesion and platelet adhesion tests, hemolysis assay, morphological changes of red blood cells, plasma recalcification time assay, in vitro coagulation time tests, and MTT assay. Finally, the results of a rabbit carotid artery stent implantation experiment showed that the double drug sustained-release coating for the stent can accelerate regeneration of endothelial cells and keep good anticoagulant activity. This study can provide new design ideas based on nanotechnology for improving the safety and effectiveness of drug-eluting stents.