Lubricious hydrogel coating based on sulfobetaine methacrylate/polyvinyl alcohol for hemodialysis catheters

• A SBMA/PVA-based semi-IPN hydrogel coating was developed for hemodialysis catheters. • The hydrogel coatings significantly enhanced hydrophilicity, reduced COF, inhibited bacterial/platelet adhesion and improved anticoagulation. • The hydrogel coatings exhibited excellent structural stability and hemocompatibility. • This study provides a novel functionalized strategy to reduce catheter complications and improve long-term dialysis outcomes. Hemodialysis catheters are prone to catheter-related complications due to their rough surface microstructure and poor lubrication, yet clinical solutions remain limited. This study developed a facile three-dimensional semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogel coating based on sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for surface lubrication of hemodialysis catheters. The hydrogel coating was characterized via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Swelling tests, shear resistance assays, and hemolysis experiments confirmed its structural stability and blood compatibility. Hydrophilicity and lubricity were validated through water contact angle measurements and friction coefficient analyses. Anti-bacterial adhesion, anti-platelet adhesion, and ex vivo circulation experiments demonstrated its anti-infective and anticoagulant capabilities. This study proposes a novel functional coating strategy to reduce catheter-related complications in hemodialysis, offering significant potential for clinical translation.