Heparin surface coated ventricular assist devices (VADs) were evaluated without systemic heparinization and compared with uncoated control VADs with systemic heparinization (bovine experiments, n = 8; bodyweight, 75 +/- 6 kg). No heparin was given in the study group, whereas heparin (300 IU/kg) was given before cannulation in the control group. Mean activated clotting time (ACT) was 127 +/- 12 sec before and 122 +/- 17 sec after 6 hours of left ventricular assist for coated (NS) versus 184 +/- 114 sec before and 650 +/- 240 sec after for uncoated (p less than 0.05) VADs. No difference was observed in platelet depletion, plasma hemoglobin, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) production, mixed venous oxygen saturation, and VAD clot score. No VAD occlusions occurred. Ventricular assist can be achieved without systemic heparinization if VADs are improved.