Hemodynamic features and platelet aggregation in a stenosed microchannel

Platelet aggregation has been known to be closely influenced by the surrounding hemodynamic environments. Especially, platelet activation, aggregation, and thrombus formation frequently occur at the locally stenosed blood vessel where recirculation and stagnation flow regions are developed. However, the relationship between hemodynamic feature and platelet aggregation is not fully understood yet. The main objective of this study is to investigate the hemodynamic characteristics of blood flow in a stenosis channel and their effects on platelet aggregation. Whole blood was injected into a stenosed microchannel with 85% severity at various flow rates, ranging from 10 to 50 mL hr(-1). The velocity vector field of the blood flow in the stenosed microchannel was measured using newly developed LED (light emitting diode)-illumination microparticle image velocimetry (micro-Ply). The blood flow is highly disturbed by the micro-stenosis, and a recirculation flow region is formed at the post-stenosis region. The occurring site and the shape of the platelet aggregation are highly influenced by the hemodynamic characteristics of blood flow around the stenosis. Especially, the platelet aggregation is found to occur at the interface where the downward momentum of the central jet at the post-stenosis region and the upward momentum of the recirculation flow are balanced. These experimental results would be helpful to understand the platelet aggregation under disturbed blood flow conditions. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.