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The application of large amplitude oscillatory stress in a study of fully formed fibrin clots

T. F. Lamer, B. R. Thomas, D. J. Curtis, N. Badiei, P. R. Williams, K. Hawkins, Rhodri Williams Orcid Logo, Karl Hawkins Orcid Logo, Daniel Curtis Orcid Logo

Physics of Fluids, Volume: 29, Issue: 12, Start page: 121606

Swansea University Authors: Rhodri Williams Orcid Logo, Karl Hawkins Orcid Logo, Daniel Curtis Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1063/1.4999991

Abstract

The suitability of controlled stress large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOStress) for the characterisation of the nonlinear viscoelastic properties of fully formed fibrin clots is investigated. Capturing the rich nonlinear viscoelastic behaviour of the fibrin network is important for understanding...

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Published in: Physics of Fluids
ISSN: 1089-7666
Published: 2017
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35309
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Abstract: The suitability of controlled stress large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOStress) for the characterisation of the nonlinear viscoelastic properties of fully formed fibrin clots is investigated. Capturing the rich nonlinear viscoelastic behaviour of the fibrin network is important for understanding the structural behaviour of clots formed in blood vessels which are exposed to a wide range of shear stresses. We report, for the first time, that artefacts due to ringing exist in both the sample stress and strain waveforms of a LAOStress measurement which will lead to errors in the calculation of nonlinear viscoelastic properties. The process of smoothing the waveforms eliminates these artefacts whilst retaining essential rheological information. Furthermore, we demonstrate the potential of LAOStress for characterising the nonlinear viscoelastic properties of fibrin clots in response to incremental increases of applied stress up to the point of fracture. Alternating LAOStress and small amplitude oscillatory shear measurements provide detailed information of reversible and irreversible structural changes of the fibrin clot as a consequence of elevated levels of stress. We relate these findings to previous studies involving large scale deformations of fibrin clots. The LAOStress technique may provide useful information to help understand why some blood clots formed in vessels are stable (such as in deep vein thrombosis) and others break off (leading to a life threatening pulmonary embolism).
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Issue: 12
Start Page: 121606