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Rapid Platelet Accumulation Leading to Thrombotic Occlusion

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Abstract

Platelet thrombosis under arterial conditions remains a large clinical problem. Previous in vitro experiments have concentrated on early adherence without thrombotic occlusion. We have developed a controllable hemodynamic system that creates intravascular thrombosis to occlusion. Lightly heparinized (3.5 USP units/mL), whole, porcine blood is perfused through a 1.5 mm inner diameter, tubular, collagen-coated stenosis. The microscopic growth of thrombus is optically recorded using a high resolution CCD camera. Occlusive thrombus is examined using microcomputed tomography and histology. Thrombus consistently formed in the throat of the stenosis where wall shear rates were greatest. Rapid platelet accumulation (RPA) reached rates as high as 13.7 μm3 μm−2 min−1. Total occlusion of flow occurred after 17 ± 2.6 min (n = 6). The average thrombus volume accumulation of 7.8 ± 3.5 μm3 μm2 min−1 occurred under very high wall shear rates exceeding 100,000 s−1. Significant volumes of thrombus did not form until 7.6 ± 3.6 min after the onset of flow, a delay consistent with activation of adherent mural platelets. Platelets did not accumulate with large volume for normal wall shear rates <2000 s−1. Very high wall shear rates stimulate the capture of millions of circulating platelets with exposure times <2 ms in an arterial stenosis.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by David Roberts, MD (Emory University) and the LP Huang Chair Professorship funds. We thank Dr. Hans Deckmyn (Katholike Universiteit, Leuven, Kortrijk Campus) for many helpful discussions.

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No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. GWW School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0405, USA

    A. Para, D. Bark, A. Lin & D. Ku

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  1. A. Para
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  2. D. Bark
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Correspondence to D. Ku.

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Associate Editor Scott L. Diamond oversaw the review of this article.

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Para, A., Bark, D., Lin, A. et al. Rapid Platelet Accumulation Leading to Thrombotic Occlusion. Ann Biomed Eng 39, 1961–1971 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-011-0296-3

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