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Morphological, biochemical, and functional changes in human platelets subjected to shear stress
The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
|September 11, 1975
Summary
Human platelets are highly sensitive to shear stress, a physical force. High shear stress can cause platelet lysis and fragmentation, potentially contributing to blood clots in patients with cardiovascular prostheses.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Hematology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Thromboembolic complications are linked to cardiovascular prostheses.
- Surface contact and physical forces at the material-blood interface activate coagulation and platelets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of shear stress on human platelets.
- To understand the role of shear stress in thromboembolic events related to cardiovascular devices.
Main Methods:
- A rotational viscometer applied graded shear stress to platelet-rich plasma.
- Measured platelet responses including ATP, ADP, serotonin release, aggregation, lysis, and fragmentation.
Main Results:
- Low shear stress (50 dynes/cm²) caused ATP, ADP, serotonin release, and aggregation.
- Higher shear stress (≥100 dynes/cm²) led to nonstorage nucleotide release (cell lysis).
- Very high shear stress (≥250 dynes/cm²) resulted in platelet fragmentation.
Conclusions:
- Platelets are extremely sensitive to shear stress.
- Shear stress may contribute to thrombus formation and platelet turnover in patients with cardiovascular prostheses or rheumatic valvular disease.