The impact of blood shear rate on arterial thrombus formation

Abstract

The shear rate and corresponding shear stress have impacts on arterial thrombus formation. In particular, the effects of increasing concentration of platelets at the vessel wall and activation of platelets at this site increase the growth and stability of the thrombi which may result in a fatal narrowing of the arterial lumen. The efficacy of many antithrombotic agents is shear dependent as well. It is apparent that there is a need for a point-of-care device to rapidly monitor the risk for arterial thrombosis and to optimize antithrombotic therapy in vitro. The present review focuses on the essential role of shear rate on arterial thrombus formation in native human blood drawn directly from an antecubital vein. Arterial thrombosis formation is to a large extent determined by the physical parameters of arterial blood flow, that is, shear rate and shear stress. In addition, the efficacy of many antithrombotic agents is dependent upon the shear. Consequently, there is a medical need for a rapid global assay to assess prothrombotic risk and antithrombotic treatment that is performed under arterial blood flow conditions, using native blood, which has not been in vitro anticoagulated.