Platinum microcoils coated with immobilized recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF) were prepared and the effectiveness for the embolization of aneurysms was investigated using a rat model. Platinum coils were prepared by successive deposition of cationic polyethyleneimine and anionic heparin, and VEGF was immobilized through affinity interaction with heparin. Unmodified, heparin-coated, or rhVEGF-immobilized platinum coil segments were inserted into the ligated external

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... rotid arteries at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery (CCA) of adult female rats. The bifurcation segments of the CCA were harvested 2 weeks after the coil placement. rhVEGF-immobilized coils showed significantly greater endothelial formation at the aneurysm orifice and cell infiltration in the aneurysm body compared with the unmodified and heparin-coated coils. The percentage of sac occlusion was significantly greater in the rhVEGF-immobilized group (77.53 ± 27.58%) than in the heparin-coated group (44.81 ± 38.30%) and unmodified group (34.99 ± 28.15%). Scanning electron microscopy showed a tendency for more fibrotic and cellular collections on the coil surface and more tissue mass filling in the coil lumen in the rhVEGF-immobilized group. Platinum microcoils coated with immobilized rhVEGF may be effective for the obliteration of aneurysms.