Thrombotic Deposits Research Articles

Clinical risk factors and features on computed tomography angiography in high-risk carotid artery plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes.

High-risk carotid artery plaque (HPR) is associated with a markedly increased risk of ischemic stroke. The aims of this study were: 1) to examine the prevalence of HRP in a cohort of asymptomatic adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D); 2) to investigate the relationship between HRP, established cardiovascular risk factors and computed tomography angiography (CTA) profile; and 3) to assess whether the presence of HRP is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). This was a retrospective cohort study of T2D asymptomatic patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) from January 2018 to July 2021. The carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) was assessed for the presence of ulceration, the presence of lipids, fibrosis, thrombotic deposits, hemorrhage, neovascularization, and inflammation. A CAP presenting at least five of these histological features was defined as a HRP (Group A); in all other cases it was defined as a mild to moderate heterogeneous plaque and no-HRP (Group B). CTA features included the presence of rim sign consisting of thin peripheral adventitial calcification (<2 mm) and internal soft plaque (≥2 mm), NASCET percent diameter stenosis, maximum plaque thickness, ulceration, calcification, and intraluminal thrombus were recorded. Binary logistic regression with Uni- and Multivariate was used to evaluate possible predictors for HRP while multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards was used to assess independent predictors for MACE. One hundred eighty-five asymptomatic patients (mean age 73±8 years, 131 men), undergoing carotid endarterectomy, were included. Of these, 124 (67%) had HRP, and the 61 (33%) did not. Diabetic complications (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1-5.1, P=0.01), NASCET stenosis ≥75% (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2-3.7, P=0.02) and carotid RIM sign (OR 4.3, 95% CI: 3.9-7.3, P<0.001) were independently associated with HRP. However, HRP was not associated with a higher risk of MACE (freedom from MACE at 5 years: HRP 83.4% vs. non HRP 87.8%, P=0.72) or a reduction of survival (5-year survival estimates: HRP 96.4% vs. non HRP: 94.6%, P=0.76). A high prevalence of HRP (67%) was observed in asymptomatic and elderly T2D patients. Independent predictors of HRP were diabetic complications, NASCET stenosis ≥75% and carotid RIM sign (OR 4.3, 95% CI: 3.9-7.3, P<0.001). HRP was not associated with an increased risk of MACE during a mean follow-up of 39±24 years.

GDF15 affects venous thrombosis by promoting EndMT through smad2/p-smad2 pathway

BackgroundEndothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a pathophysiological change in the vascular endothelium commonly seen in the cardiovascular system. Elevated serum Growth differiention factor 15 (GDF15) has been reported in VTE patients, but the relationship and mechanism between GDF15, EndMT and VTE are still unclear.MethodsWe performed a retrospective clinical study, and human serum GDF15 expression levels were detected. The mouse DVT model was established through subtotal ligation of the mouse inferior vena cava, and then we detected intimal changes and thrombi in the stenotic inferior vena cava by haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and Sirius Red staining. The expression levels of GDF15 and SM22 were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT‒qPCR. Serum samples of mice were collected, and the expression level of GDF15 in serum was detected. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with a cytokine mixture (TGF-β1 + TNF-α + IL-1β). The role and mechanism of GDF15 in EndMT and VTE were detected in HUVECs and in a DVT mice model.ResultsWe found that serum GDF15 levels in both VTE patients and mouse DVT models were higher than those in the control group. EndMT was increased in the stenotic vascular tissue of mice. Further experiments showed that GDF15 could promote the EndMT of HUVECs and reduce their anticoagulation and antifibrinolytic ability through the smad2/p-smad2/snail pathway. Inhibition of mature GDF15 release can significantly reduce venous thrombotic fibre deposition in mice.ConclusionsGDF15 positively promotes EndMT through activation of the Smad2/psmad2/snail pathway, and inhibition of GDF15 expression can alleviate the EndMT process, further improving the coagulation and fibrinolytic function of endothelial cells and thus reducing the local fibre deposition of venous thrombi.

Performance of xenogeneic pulmonary visceral pleura as bioprosthetic heart valve cusps in swine.

Bovine pericardium is common biological material for bioprosthetic heart valve. There remains a significant need, however, to improve bioprosthetic valves for longer-term outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the chronic performance of bovine pulmonary visceral pleura (PVP) as bioprosthetic valve cusps. The PVP was extracted from the bovine lung and fixed in 0.625% glutaraldehyde overnight at room temperature. The PVP valve cusps for the bioprosthetic valve were tailored using a laser cutter. Three leaflets were sewn onto a nitinol stent. Six PVP bioprosthetic valves were loaded into the test chamber of the heart valve tester to complete 100 million cycles. Six other PVP bioprosthetic valves were transcardially implanted to replace pulmonary artery valve of six pigs. Fluoroscopy and intracardiac echocardiography were used for in vivo assessments. Thrombosis, calcification, inflammation, and fibrosis were evaluated in the terminal study. Histologic analyses were used for evaluations of any degradation or calcification. All PVP bioprosthetic valves completed 100 million cycles without significant damage or tears. In vivo assessments showed bioprosthetic valve cusps open and coaptation at four months post-implant. No calcification and thrombotic deposits, inflammation, and fibrosis were observed in the heart or pulmonary artery. The histologic analyses showed complete and compact elastin and collagen fibers in the PVP valve cusps. Calcification-specific stains showed no calcific deposit in the PVP valve cusps. The accelerated wear test demonstrates suitable mechanical strength of PVP cusps for heart valve. The swine model demonstrates that the PVP valve cusps are promising for valve replacement.

Morphologic, Hemostasiologic and Hemostatic Aspects of Systemic Application of Exogenous Fibrin Monomer in Model of Posttraumatic Bleeding with Underlying Intake of Warfarin

INTRODUCTION: Earlier, an ability of exogenous fibrin monomer (FM) introduced at low doses to considerably limit posttraumatic blood loss was established by us on an experimental model of warfarin coagulopathy in vivo. However, the morphologic peculiarities of fibrin formation in the wound area were not considered.&#x0D; AIM: To compare morphologic, hemostasiologic and hemostatic data based on the results of systemic application of exogenous FM to interpret their effects in the model of posttraumatic bleeding with the underlying intake of warfarin.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the work, Chinchilla male rabbits were used. A comparative analysis of hemostasiologic effects and of morphologic picture of the surface of the liver in the wound area was conducted after a dosed trauma, with a preliminary systemic introduction of FM (0.25 mg/kg intravenously) or a concentrate of prothrombin complex factors (40 IU/kg intravenously) with the underlying intake of warfarin by animals (0.40.5 mg/kg/day per os for 2 weeks).&#x0D; RESULTS: Introduction of FM in warfarinised animals in the conditions of a dosed experimental liver injury promoted a hemostatic effect comparable with that of a concentrate of prothrombin complex factors. Both hemostatic drugs led to intense fibrin formation that reduced posttraumatic blood loss. The use of FM was associated with increase in the thickness of thrombotic deposits and fibrin fibers in the wound surface in comparison with placebo by 4.0 and 1.6 times, respectively (р 0.000001). This process actively involved platelets, which led to 1.7 times reduction of their quantity in the lumen of the blood vessels in the wound vicinity (р 0.0002). No effect of FM on systemic hemostatic reactions in venous blood was found, in contrast to concentrate of prothrombin complex factors.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Exogenous FM can produce a local hemostatic effect in the conditions of dosed experimental trauma and coagulopathy induced by warfarin intake. The hemostatic effect was mediated by intense thrombosis on the wound surface with the active recruitment of platelets in the process. The peculiarities of the demonstrated effects of FM may be mediated though the mechanisms of its action that have not yet been identified, which necessitates continuation of the research in this direction.

Quantitative Analysis of Clot Deposition on Extracorporeal Life Support Membrane Oxygenators Using Digital and Scanning Electron Microscopy Imaging Techniques.

Device-induced thrombosis remains a major complication of extracorporeal life support (ECLS). To more thoroughly understand how blood components interact with the artificial surfaces of ECLS circuit components, assessment of clot deposition on these surfaces following clinical use is urgently needed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which produces high-resolution images at nanoscale level, allows visualization and characterization of thrombotic deposits on ECLS circuitry. However, methodologies to increase the quantifiability of SEM analysis of ECLS circuit components have yet to be applied clinically. To address these issues, we developed a protocol to quantify clot deposition on ECLS membrane oxygenator gas transfer fiber sheets through digital and SEM imaging techniques. In this study, ECLS membrane oxygenator fiber sheets were obtained, fixed, and imaged after use. Following a standardized process, the percentage of clot deposition on both digital images and SEM images was quantified using ImageJ through blind reviews. The interrater reliability of quantitative analysis among reviewers was evaluated. Although this protocol focused on the analysis of ECLS membrane oxygenators, it is also adaptable to other components of the ECLS circuits such as catheters and tubing. Key features • Quantitative analysis of clot deposition using digital and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques • High-resolution images at nanoscale level • Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) devices • Membrane oxygenators • Blood-contacting surfaces Graphical overview.

Comparative study of the effect of tranexamic acid and exogenous fibrin monomer on fibrin formation in the injury area during stimulation of fibrinolysis by streptokinase

Introduction. Earlier studies of low-dose fibrin monomer (FM) demonstrated that low-dose FM has unique hemostatic properties in vivo.Aim — to compare the morphological consequences of intravenous administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) and FM with the hemostatic and hemostasiological effects in hypofibrinogenemia caused by the use of streptokinase after controlled liver injury.Materials and methods. The morphological pattern of fibrin formation in the liver injury area after spontaneous arrest of bleeding in the animals treated with streptokinase or placebo was studied in 73 male rabbits of the Chinchilla breed, split into four groups. In three groups, the study was performed under the conditions of intravenous administration of placebo, TXA, or FM against the background of fibrinolysis activation by streptokinase. Platelet count in the blood, the concentration of fibrinogen, as well as the results of calibrated thrombography, were taken into account.Results. Sequential administration of streptokinase and TXA was accompanied by decreased fibrinogen concentration (by 29.6 %) and, at the same time, a reduction in blood loss (by 15.4 times) in comparison with animals where placebo was used instead of TXA. A decrease in blood loss was associated with increased thickness of thrombotic deposits at the edge of the wound, mainly consisting of red blood cells. These observations were combined with data on the acceleration of thrombin formation in venous blood plasma in a calibrated thrombography test (Peak thrombin 65.4 nmol/L to 109.6 nmol/L in the placebo group). Compared to the observations where placebo was administered instead of FM, however, the sequential use of streptokinase and FM also led to a decrease in blood loss (by 11.0 times) despite decreased fibrinogen concentration (by 23.3 %). A decrease in blood loss was also associated with platelet consumption in venous blood and with increased thickness of thrombotic deposits on the injury surface, where, in addition to red blood cells, the accumulation of fibrin masses was determined by the morphological pattern.Conclusion. The mechanisms of the systemic hemostatic effect of TXA and FM are different, despite the similarity of the achieved hemostatic effects in the conditions of stimulation of blood fibrinolytic activity. These findings expand the understanding of new therapeutic possibilities for reducing post-traumatic blood loss.

Effects of tranexamic acid and exogenous fibrin monomer on the liver injury area and systemic circulation in pharmacological suppression of platelet function in an experiment

Aim. To identify and compare the morphological, hemostatic and hemostasiological consequences of intravenous administration of tranexamic acid and fibrin monomer in controlled liver injury against drug-induced thrombocytopathy.&#x0D; Methods. The morphological features of fibrin formation in the area of liver injury after spontaneous bleeding arrest combined with the indicators of blood loss in the animals treated with intravenous placebo, tranexamic acid or fibrin monomer was studied in 69 male rabbits. The effects of these drugs were assessed against thrombocytopathy associated with the combined use of acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel. Platelet number and function (adnosine diphosphate-induced aggregation), the data of thromboelastometry and calibrated automated thrombogram, fibrinogen concentration and D-dimer level were considered in the blood test. The feature distribution in the samples was assessed using the ShapiroWilk test. Depending on the distribution, Student's t-test, MannWhitney U test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to test for a significant difference between the features. Differences in mortality rate were established by using Fisher's exact test. The differences were considered statistically significant at p 0.05.&#x0D; Results. A model of thrombocytopathy which showed decreased platelet aggregation function (by 4.5 times), increased blood loss (by 40%), and high mortality (53.9%) was reproduced. Only a small accumulation of thrombotic material was noted on the injured surface of such animals. The use of tranexamic acid led to decreased post-traumatic bleeding (2.5 times) and animal mortality (20%). The latter was provided on the wound surface by increasing the thickness of both thrombotic deposits and fibrin strands. When fibrin monomer was used, the phenomenon of an overcompensated decrease in blood loss (by 6.7 times) accompanied by zero mortality was noted despite a pronounced decrease in platelet aggregation. The maximum increase in the thickness of thrombotic material and fibrin strands was morphologically determined in the injury area compared with other animal groups.&#x0D; Conclusion. Morphological features of traumatic hemostatic effect at the injured area when using tranexamic acid and fibrin monomer have a number of differences despite the similarity of the achieved results in minimizing blood loss.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients After Permanent Pacemaker Implantation

Abstract Permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation can lead to thromboembolic events at different times after the procedure. According to literature, 1.7% of patients with pulmonary embolism have an implantable cardiac device. This frequency is higher than reported so far, from 0.16 to 0.47% of the total population. The pathophysiologic mechanism of pulmonary embolism in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is multifactorial. Recently, there is evidence that not only the organisation of thrombotic deposits in the proximal pulmonary arterial vessels is important, but also the development of small vessel disease, which plays an important role in the evolution and progression of the disease. The role of thrombosis in medical devices in contact with blood flow, such as stents, vascular grafts, heart valves, has been well studied and documented in scientific literature on biomaterials. It is clear that implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers, similarly to other foreign surfaces exposed to blood flow, promote blood clotting and complement activation. Numerous studies to date have addressed the potential risk of distal vascular involvement of pulmonary circulation in the presence of a pacemaker, but none has conclusively proven this hypothesis. Over the last decade, there has been significant progress in the therapeutic potential of CTEPH. Pulmonary endarterectomy remains the only therapeutic method that can lead to lasting clinical improvement in these patients while achieving a good quality of life. This method is operational, with high financial value and is associated with the presence of a highly specialised team of specialists. This justifies the search for ways to prevent the onset of the disease rather than treat the consequences.

Analysis of Thrombotic Deposits in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenators by High-resolution Microcomputed Tomography: A Feasibility Study.

Coagulative disorders, especially clotting during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, are frequent complications. Direct visualization and analysis of deposits in membrane oxygenators using computed tomography (CT) may provide an insight into the underlying mechanisms causing thrombotic events. However, the already established multidetector CT (MDCT) method shows major limitations. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of applying industrial micro-CT (µCT) to circumvent these restrictions. Three clinically used membrane oxygenators were investigated applying both MDCT and µCT. The scans were analyzed in terms of clot volume and local clot distribution. As validation, the clot volume was also determined from the fluid volume, which could be filled into the respective used oxygenator compared to a new device. In addition, cross-sectional CT images were compared with crosscut oxygenators. Based on the µCT findings, a morphological measure (sphericity) for assessing clot structures in membrane oxygenators is introduced. Furthermore, by comparing MDCT and µCT results, an augmentation of the MDCT method is proposed, which allows for improved clot volume determination in a clinical setting.

Prognostic value of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a key enzyme for fibrin degradation and the proteolytic defense against formation of the thrombotic endothelial deposits. tPA is involved in carcinogenesis but its exact role in tumor biology is not very well understood and a prognostic value of tPA remains ambiguous in different cancers. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value of plasma tPA in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in the course of the first line chemotherapy. the study covered 60 patients with EOC who underwent the 1st line chemotherapy. Plasma tPA was assessed at onset, after 3 and 6 cycles of chemotherapy. The groups were stratified according to tPA level at onset of chemotherapy (low tPA group < 6.5 mg/L, N = 37 and high tPA group > 6.5 mg/L, N = 23). Survival analysis was repeated for the cut-off of tPA level at 6.5 mg/L and 5.1 mg/L after 3 and 6 cycles. Only subjects with tPA > 6.5 mg/L at onset of chemotherapy had a significantly lower probability of a 5-year survival (34.8% vs. 72.7%, P < 0.006) and lower chance for disease free survival within 5 years (39.3% vs. 72.7%, P < 0.014). tPA < 6.5 mg/L plasma level evaluated at onset of chemotherapy was an independent marker of better overall survival (RR = 0.44, 95%CI = 0.19-0.98) but not disease-free survival. Plasma tPA may serve as a marker of survival if assessed at onset of the first line chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer.

WHAT MADE MY HEART STOP? A RARE CAUSE OF SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST

Cardiac tumors are often first diagnosed after the patient has suffered a stroke, an embolism of the peripheral vasculature or a pulmonary artery embolism, caused by detached tumor tissue or mobilization of thrombotic deposits. They rarely present with ventricular arrhythmias. Tumor infiltration of

Active wrinkles to drive self-cleaning: A strategy for anti-thrombotic surfaces for vascular grafts

The inner surfaces of arteries and veins are naturally anti-thrombogenic, whereas synthetic materials placed in blood contact commonly experience thrombotic deposition that can lead to device failure or clinical complications. Presented here is a bioinspired strategy for self-cleaning anti-thrombotic surfaces using actuating surface topography. As a first test, wrinkled polydimethylsiloxane planar surfaces are constructed that can repeatedly transition between smooth and wrinkled states. When placed in contact with blood, these surfaces display markedly less platelet deposition than control samples. Second, for the specific application of prosthetic vascular grafts, the potential of using pulse pressure, i.e. the continual variation of blood pressure between systole and diastole, to drive topographic actuation was investigated. Soft cylindrical tubes with a luminal surface that transitioned between smooth and wrinkled states were constructed. Upon exposure to blood under continual pressure pulsation, these cylindrical tubes also showed reduced platelet deposition versus control samples under the same fluctuating pressure conditions. In both planar and cylindrical cases, significant reductions in thrombotic deposition were observed, even when the wrinkles had wavelengths of several tens of μm, far larger than individual platelets. We speculate that the observed thrombo-resistance behavior is attributable to a biofilm delamination process in which the bending energy within the biofilm overcomes interfacial adhesion. This novel strategy to reduce thrombotic deposition may be applicable to several types of medical devices placed into the circulatory system, particularly vascular grafts.

Correlation between MDCTA and Carotid Plaque Histological Heterogeneity: A Pilot Study

The aim of this pilot study was to identify multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) features that may help identify carotid atherosclerotic plaques (CAPs) with severe histological heterogeneity. Thirty-one CAPs (9 symptomatic) were evaluated histologically using a semiquantitative scale. The CAPs were assessed for the presence of ulceration, lipids, fibrosis, thrombotic deposits, haemorrhage, neovascularisation, and inflammation. A CAP presenting at least five of these histological features was defined as a severe heterogeneous plaque (Group A); in all other cases it was defined as a mild to moderate heterogeneous plaque (Group B). The non-calcified plaque tissue was segmented in pre-operative MDCTA. Median and mean intensity and percentages of soft tissue voxels with a value smaller than or equal to certain thresholds (from 20 HU to 200 HU with a constant distance of 20 HU) were calculated. Comparison of intensity measurements was analysed by Mann–Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. In order to assess the method reliability, values showing better performance were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and k-Cohen test according to ROC analysis. According to histological analysis 18 CAPs were classified as belonging to Group B and 13 to Group A. The percentages of soft tissue with density ≤ 40 (TH_40), 60 (TH_60), 80 (TH_80), and 100 HU (TH_100) were statistically significantly greater in plaques of Group A (respectively P = .016, P = .002, P = .001, P = .007). The mean (P = .025) and median (P = .014) intensity were statistically significantly lower in the plaques of Group A. TH_60 and TH_80 showed the greatest accuracy (0.81) with similar performance in term of AUC and sensitivity/specificity (TH_60: 0.82, 0.62, 0.94; TH_80: 0.83, 0.69, 0.89, respectively, for AUC, sensitivity and specificity). Reliability analysis showed good repeatability and reproducibility of these measurements. The findings have demonstrated lower density of the non-calcified tissue in the plaques of Group A with higher TH_60 and TH_80 soft tissue percentages with respect to CAPs of Group B.

Correlation between MDCTA and Carotid Plaque Histological Heterogeneity: A Pilot Study

The aim of this pilot study was to identify multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) features that may help identify carotid atherosclerotic plaques (CAPs) with severe histological heterogeneity. Thirty-one CAPs (9 symptomatic) were evaluated histologically using a semiquantitative scale. The CAPs were assessed for the presence of ulceration, lipids, fibrosis, thrombotic deposits, haemorrhage, neovascularisation, and inflammation. A CAP presenting at least five of these histological features was defined as a severe heterogeneous plaque (Group A); in all other cases it was defined as a mild to moderate heterogeneous plaque (Group B). The non-calcified plaque tissue was segmented in pre-operative MDCTA. Median and mean intensity and percentages of soft tissue voxels with a value smaller than or equal to certain thresholds (from 20 HU to 200 HU with a constant distance of 20 HU) were calculated. Comparison of intensity measurements was analysed by Mann-Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. In order to assess the method reliability, values showing better performance were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and k-Cohen test according to ROC analysis. According to histological analysis 18 CAPs were classified as belonging to Group B and 13 to Group A. The percentages of soft tissue with density ≤ 40 (TH_40), 60 (TH_60), 80 (TH_80), and 100 HU (TH_100) were statistically significantly greater in plaques of Group A (respectively p=.016, p=.002, p=.001, p=.007). The mean (p=.025) and median (p=.014) intensity were statistically significantly lower in the plaques of Group A. TH_60 and TH_80 showed the greatest accuracy (0.81) with similar performance in term of AUC and sensitivity/specificity (TH_60: 0.82, 0.62, 0.94; TH_80: 0.83, 0.69, 0.89, respectively, for AUC, sensitivity and specificity). Reliability analysis showed good repeatability and reproducibility of these measurements. The findings have demonstrated lower density of the non-calcified tissue in the plaques of Group A with higher TH_60 and TH_80 soft tissue percentages with respect to CAPs of Group B.

Electron Microscopy as a Tool for Assessment of Anticoagulation Strategies During Extracorporeal Life Support: The Proof Is on the Membrane.

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is fast becoming more common place for use in adult patients failing mechanical ventilation. Management of coagulation and thrombosis has long been a major complication in the use of ECLS therapies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of membrane oxygenators (MOs) after use in ECLS circuits can offer novel insight into any thrombotic material deposition on the MO. In this pilot study, we analyzed five explanted MOs immediately after use in a sheep model of different acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We describe our methods of MO dissection, sample preparation, image capture, and results. Of the five MOs analyzed, those that received continuous heparin infusion showed very little thrombosis formation or other clot material, whereas those that were used with only initial heparin bolus showed readily apparent thrombotic material.

Visualization and analysis of biomaterial-centered thrombus formation within a defined crevice under flow

The blood flow pathway within a device, together with the biomaterial surfaces and status of the patient's blood, are well-recognized factors in the development of thrombotic deposition and subsequent embolization. Blood flow patterns are of particular concern for devices such as blood pumps (i.e. ventricular assist devices, VADs) where shearing forces can be high, volumes are relatively large, and the flow fields can be complex. However, few studies have examined the effect of geometric irregularities on thrombus formation on clinically relevant opaque materials under flow. The objective of this study was to quantify human platelet deposition onto Ti6Al4V alloys, as well as positive and negative control surfaces, in the region of defined crevices (∼50–150 μm in width) that might be encountered in many VADs or other cardiovascular devices. To achieve this, reconstituted fresh human blood with hemoglobin-depleted red blood cells (to achieve optical clarity while maintaining relevant rheology), long working optics, and a custom designed parallel plate flow chamber were employed. The results showed that the least amount of platelet deposition occurred in the largest crevice size examined, which was counterintuitive. The greatest levels of deposition occurred in the 90 μm and 53 μm crevices at the lower wall shear rate. The results suggest that while crevices may be unavoidable in device manufacturing, the crevice size might be tailored, depending on the flow conditions, to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events. Further, these data might be used to improve the accuracy of predictive models of thrombotic deposition in cardiovascular devices to help optimize the blood flow path and reduce device thrombogenicity.

Analysis of Thrombotic Deposits in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenators by Multidetector Computed Tomography

Analysis of Thrombotic Deposits in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenators by Multidetector Computed Tomography

Clinical outcome and morphologic determinants of mural thrombus in abdominal aortic endografts

Endograft mural thrombus has been associated with stent graft or limb thrombosis after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). This study aimed to identify clinical and morphologic determinants of endograft mural thrombus accumulation and its influence on thromboembolic events after EVAR. A prospectively maintained database of patients treated by EVAR at a tertiary institution from 2000 to 2012 was analyzed. Patients treated for degenerative infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms and with available imaging for thrombus analysis were considered. All measurements were performed on three-dimensional center-lumen line computed tomography angiography (CTA) reconstructions. Patients with thrombus accumulation within the endograft's main body with a thickness >2 mm and an extension >25% of the main body's circumference were included in the study group and compared with a control group that included all remaining patients. Clinical and morphologic variables were assessed for association with significant thrombus accumulation within the endograft's main body by multivariate regression analysis. Estimates for freedom from thromboembolic events were obtained by Kaplan-Meier plots. Sixty-eight patients (16.4%) presented with endograft mural thrombus. Median follow-up time was 3.54 years (interquartile range, 1.99-5.47 years). In-graft mural thrombus was identified on 30-day CTA in 22 patients (32.4% of the study group), on 6-month CTA in 8 patients (11.8%), and on 1-year CTA in 17 patients (25%). Intraprosthetic thrombus progressively accumulated during the study period in 40 patients of the study group (55.8%). Overall, 17 patients (4.1%) presented with endograft or limb occlusions, 3 (4.4%) in the thrombus group and 14 (4.1%) in the control group (P = .89). Thirty-one patients (7.5%) received an aortouni-iliac (AUI) endograft. Two endograft occlusions were identified among AUI devices (6.5%; overall, 0.5%). None of these patients showed thrombotic deposits in the main body, nor were any outflow abnormalities identified on the immediately preceding CTA. Estimated freedom from thromboembolic events at 5 years was 95% in both groups (P = .97). Endograft thrombus accumulation was associated with >25% proximal aneurysm neck thrombus coverage at baseline (odds ratio [OR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-3.3), neck length ≤ 15 mm (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.2), proximal neck diameter ≥ 30 mm (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.6), AUI (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.8-5.5), or polyester-covered stent grafts (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 2.2-7.3) and with main component "barrel-like" configuration (OR, 6.9; 95% CI, 1.7-28.3). Mural thrombus formation within the main body of the endograft is related to different endograft configurations, main body geometry, and device fabric but appears to have no association with the occurrence of thromboembolic events over time.

Hollow fiber membrane modification with functional zwitterionic macromolecules for improved thromboresistance in artificial lungs.

Respiratory assist devices seek optimized performance in terms of gas transfer efficiency and thromboresistance to minimize device size and reduce complications associated with inadequate blood biocompatibility. The exchange of gas with blood occurs at the surface of the hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) used in these devices. In this study, three zwitterionic macromolecules were attached to HFM surfaces to putatively improve thromboresistance: (1) carboxyl-functionalized zwitterionic phosphorylcholine (PC) and (2) sulfobetaine (SB) macromolecules (mPC or mSB-COOH) prepared by a simple thiol-ene radical polymerization and (3) a low-molecular weight sulfobetaine (SB)-co-methacrylic acid (MA) block copolymer (SBMAb-COOH) prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Each macromolecule type was covalently immobilized on an aminated commercial HFM (Celg-A) by a condensation reaction, and HFM surface composition changes were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Thrombotic deposition on the HFMs was investigated after contact with ovine blood in vitro. The removal of CO2 by the HFMs was also evaluated using a model respiratory assistance device. The HFMs conjugated with zwitterionic macromolecules (Celg-mPC, Celg-mSB, and Celg-SBMAb) showed expected increases in phosphorus or sulfur surface content. Celg-mPC and Celg-SBMAb experienced rates of platelet deposition significantly lower than those of unmodified (Celg-A, >95% reduction) and heparin-coated (>88% reduction) control HFMs. Smaller reductions were seen with Celg-mSB. The CO2 removal rate for Celg-SBMAb HFMs remained comparable to that of Celg-A. In contrast, the rate of removal of CO2 for heparin-coated HFMs was significantly reduced. The results demonstrate a promising approach to modifying HFMs using zwitterionic macromolecules for artificial lung devices with improved thromboresistance without degradation of gas transfer.

Nonthrombogenic, biodegradable elastomeric polyurethanes with variable sulfobetaine content.

For applications where degradable polymers are likely to have extended blood contact, it is often important for these materials to exhibit high levels of thromboresistance. This can be achieved with surface modification approaches, but such modifications may be transient with degradation. Alternatively, polymer design can be altered such that the bulk polymer is thromboresistant and this is maintained with degradation. Toward this end a series of biodegradable, elastic polyurethanes (PESBUUs) containing different zwitterionic sulfobetaine (SB) content were synthesized from a polycaprolactone-diol (PCL-diol):SB-diol mixture (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100) reacted with diisocyanatobutane and chain extended with putrescine. The chemical structure, tensile mechanical properties, thermal properties, hydrophilicity, biodegradability, fibrinogen adsorption and thrombogenicity of the resulting polymers was characterized. With increased SB content some weakening in tensile properties occurred in wet conditions and enzymatic degradation also decreased. However, at higher zwitterionic molar ratios (50% and 75%) wet tensile strength exceeded 15 MPa and breaking strain was >500%. Markedly reduced thrombotic deposition was observed both before and after substantial degradation for both of these PESBUUs and they could be processed by electrospinning into a vascular conduit format with appropriate compliance properties. The mechanical and degradation properties as well as the acute in vitro thrombogenicity assessment suggest that these tunable polyurethanes could provide options appropriate for use in blood contacting applications where a degradable, elastomeric component with enduring thromboresistance is desired.