Issue 21, 2024

Mechanics and microstructure of blood plasma clots in shear driven rupture

Abstract

Intravascular blood clots are subject to hydrodynamic shear and other forces that cause clot deformation and rupture (embolization). A portion of the ruptured clot can block blood flow in downstream vessels. The mechanical stability of blood clots is determined primarily by the 3D polymeric fibrin network that forms a gel. Previous studies have primarily focused on the rupture of blood plasma clots under tensile loading (Mode I), our current study investigates the rupture of fibrin induced by shear loading (Mode II), dominating under physiological conditions induced by blood flow. Using experimental and theoretical approaches, we show that fracture toughness, i.e. the critical energy release rate, is relatively independent of the type of loading and is therefore a fundamental property of the gel. Ultrastructural studies and finite element simulations demonstrate that cracks propagate perpendicular to the direction of maximum stretch at the crack tip. These observations indicate that locally, the mechanism of rupture is predominantly tensile. Knowledge gained from this study will aid in the development of methods for prediction/prevention of thrombotic embolization.

Graphical abstract: Mechanics and microstructure of blood plasma clots in shear driven rupture

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Jan 2024
Accepted
18 Apr 2024
First published
26 Apr 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Soft Matter, 2024,20, 4184-4196

Mechanics and microstructure of blood plasma clots in shear driven rupture

R. K. Ramanujam, K. Garyfallogiannis, R. I. Litvinov, J. L. Bassani, J. W. Weisel, P. K. Purohit and V. Tutwiler, Soft Matter, 2024, 20, 4184 DOI: 10.1039/D4SM00042K

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