Micromechanical Force Measurement of Clotted Blood Particle Cohesion: Understanding Thromboembolic Aggregation Mechanisms.

Purpose: Arterial shear forces may promote the embolization of clotted blood from the surface of thrombi, displacing particles that may occlude vasculature, with increased risk of physiological complications and mortality. Thromboemboli may also collide in vivo to form metastable aggregates that increase vessel occlusion likelihood.

Methods: A micromechanical force (MMF) apparatus was modified for aqueous applications to study clot-liquid interfacial phenomena between clotted porcine blood particles suspended in modified continuous phases.