The hydraulic permeability of blood clots as a function of fibrin and platelet density. 2013

A R Wufsus, and N E Macera, and K B Neeves
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA.

Interstitial fluid flow within blood clots is a biophysical mechanism that regulates clot growth and dissolution. Assuming that a clot can be modeled as a porous medium, the physical property that dictates interstitial fluid flow is the hydraulic permeability. The objective of this study was to bound the possible values of the hydraulic permeability in clots formed in vivo and present relationships that can be used to estimate clot permeability as a function of composition. A series of clots with known densities of fibrin and platelets, the two major components of a clot, were formed under static conditions. The permeability was calculated by measuring the interstitial fluid velocity through the clots at a constant pressure gradient. Fibrin gels formed with a fiber volume fraction of 0.02-0.54 had permeabilities of 1.2 × 10(-1)-1.5 × 10(-4)μm(2). Platelet-rich clots with a platelet volume fraction of 0.01-0.61 and a fibrin volume fraction of 0.03 had permeabilities over a range of 1.1 × 10(-2)-1.5 × 10(-5)μm(2). The permeability of fibrin gels and of clots with platelet volume fraction of <0.2 were modeled as an array of disordered cylinders with uniform diameters. Clots with a platelet volume fraction of >0.2 were modeled as a Brinkman medium of coarse solids (platelets) embedded in a mesh of fine fibers (fibrin). Our data suggest that the permeability of clots formed in vivo can vary by up to five orders of magnitude, with pore sizes that range from 4 to 350 nm. These findings have important implications for the transport of coagulation zymogens/enzymes in the interstitial spaces during clot formation, as well as the design of fibrinolytic drug delivery strategies.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007700 Kinetics The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D010539 Permeability Property of membranes and other structures to permit passage of light, heat, gases, liquids, metabolites, and mineral ions. Permeabilities
D001777 Blood Coagulation The process of the interaction of BLOOD COAGULATION FACTORS that results in an insoluble FIBRIN clot. Blood Clotting,Coagulation, Blood,Blood Clottings,Clotting, Blood
D001792 Blood Platelets Non-nucleated disk-shaped cells formed in the megakaryocyte and found in the blood of all mammals. They are mainly involved in blood coagulation. Platelets,Thrombocytes,Blood Platelet,Platelet,Platelet, Blood,Platelets, Blood,Thrombocyte
D005337 Fibrin A protein derived from FIBRINOGEN in the presence of THROMBIN, which forms part of the blood clot. Antithrombin I
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D045604 Extracellular Fluid The fluid of the body that is outside of CELLS. It is the external environment for the cells. Interstitial Fluid,Intercellular Fluid,Extracellular Fluids,Fluid, Extracellular,Fluid, Intercellular,Fluid, Interstitial,Fluids, Extracellular,Fluids, Intercellular,Fluids, Interstitial,Intercellular Fluids,Interstitial Fluids
D058105 Polymerization Chemical reaction in which monomeric components are combined to form POLYMERS (e.g., POLYMETHYLMETHACRYLATE). Polymerizations

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