"Going with the flow" in modeling fibrinolysis

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Hematology
• Cardiovascular Science

Background:

• Thrombus formation is influenced by intravascular shear stress, affecting stability.
• Thrombus formation and breakdown are simultaneous, balancing clot size and resolution.
• Existing models have advanced to incorporate in vivo-like flow rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review fibrinolysis assays and discuss novel models of thrombolysis.
• To highlight the importance of models mimicking physiological shear rates for studying thrombus degradation.
• To assess the utility of these models in understanding pathophysiology and evaluating antithrombotic therapies.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of various fibrinolysis assays.
• Review of novel models incorporating physiological shear rates.
• Analysis of how these models recreate in vivo conditions.

Main Results:

• Models incorporating physiological shear rates are crucial for studying fibrinolysis.
• These models aid in understanding thrombus stability and degradation.
• Novel models can elucidate molecular and cellular processes in thrombus resolution.

Conclusions:

• Advanced models are essential for dissecting fibrinolysis and thrombus stability.
• These models are valuable for studying diseased vessels and evaluating drug targets.
• Novel shear-dependent models offer insights into antithrombotic drug development.