Here we report the first application of a fractal analysis of the viscoelastic properties of incipient blood clots. We sought to ascertain whether the incipient clot's fractal dimension, D(f,) could be used as a functional biomarker of hemostasis. The incipient clot is formed at the gel point (GP) of coagulating blood, the GP demarcating a functional change from viscoelastic liquid to a viscoel...

Coordinated enzymatic reactions regulate blood clot generation. To explore the contributions of various coagulation enzymes in this process, we utilized a panel of aptamers against factors VIIa, IXa, Xa, and prothrombin. Each aptamer dose-dependently inhibited clot formation, yet none was able to completely impede this process in highly procoagulant settings. However, several combinations of tw...

The aim of this paper is to present a possible approach to modeling the influence of clot formation on blood flow in a vessel. The modeling framework adopted in this work is based on a modification of the fluid viscosity within the clot area. A non-Newtonian blood flow model in a three-dimensional straight vessel is considered and its numerical solution is obtained using a finite-volume method....

We have studied the contribution of platelets to the coagulation of plasma and the effects of activation or inhibition of platelets on the coagulation process in unanticoagulated fresh whole blood (subsequently termed native blood). For this purpose, we have used a free oscillation rheometer (FOR), the ReoRox4, a new instrument that enables noninvasive viscoelastic measurements of clot formatio...

The sequences of events regulating thrombin generation during tissue factor-initiated clotting in whole blood at 37 degrees C in which the contact pathway was suppressed with corn trypsin inhibitor are studied using quantitative Western blotting of factor V, prothrombin, platelet factor 4, antithrombin III, and fibrinogen. In addition, fibrinopeptide A (FPA), thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) com...

Here we report the first application of a fractal analysis of the viscoelastic properties of incipient blood clots. We sought to ascertain whether the incipient clot’s fractal dimension, Df, could be used as a functional biomarker of hemostasis. The incipient clot is formed at the gel point (GP) of coagulating blood, the GP demarcating a functional change from viscoelastic liquid to a viscoelas...

Deep venous thrombosis or DVT is a blood clot formation in one or more of the deep veins. The blood clot does not break down and therefore, it can become larger and occlude the blood flow within the affected vein. The most frequent sites are the leg veins (femoral and popliteal) and the deep pelvic veins. Rarely, the arm veins are affected (Paget-Schrötter disease). Pulmonary embolism (PE) is t...

Accumulating evidence indicates that accelerated formation of fibrin clots composed of compact, highly-branched networks with thin fibres which are relatively resistant to plasmin-mediated lysis can be commonly observed in patients with venous or arterial thrombosis. This review discusses characteristics of fibrin clot structure and function in patients with various thromboembolic manifestation...

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays a key role in protecting tissue from oxidative stress. Although some studies implicate HO-1 in modulating thrombosis after vascular injury, the impact of HO-1 on the rate of clot formation in vivo is poorly defined. This study examined the potential function of HO-1 in regulating platelet-dependent arterial thrombosis. Platelet-rich thrombi were induced in C57BL/6J...

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents are indicated in the prevention and treatment of a variety of thromboembolic disorders. Antiplatelet agents predominately effect the development of clot formation in the arterial circulation, where platelets play a more pivotal role than in the venous circulation. Anticoagulants affect clot formation in both the arterial and venous circulation by inhibiting...