Development of a Model of Fibrinolysis under Physiological Flow Rates
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a Model of Fibrinolysis under Physiological Flow Rates – Studies in Normal Individuals and Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease.
IRAS ID
130118
Contact name
Claire S Whyte
Contact email
Research summary
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) could be caused by the narrowing or obstruction of blood vessels (arteries and veins) by blood clots. PAD affected the arteries supplying blood to legs, arm and abdomen. The structure and composition of blood clots influenced their stability and susceptibility to breakdown. A number of cardiovascular diseases such as PAD had been found to have abnormal clot structure and this was directly associated with a more severe clinical outcome in PAD patients. Shear force altered the structure of fibrin fibres in the clot network from randomly orientated fibres to more aligned and ordered fibres. This was thought to impede breakdown of the clot. We currently used a static model to investigate changes in fibrin clot structure and breakdown. Funding had been granted for a year long project from the NHS Grampian Endowment Research Fund. This project would develop this model to incorporate physiological flow rates which could be utilised to study whole blood or blood components (plasma) from different patient groups, in particular PAD patients, or the influence of different cellular components of the blood. This would involve obtaining a one time blood sample (20ml) from PAD patients at the Vascular Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Blood from healthy volunteers would be taken by a trained phlebotomist using standard protocols in a suitable and dedicated room within the Institute of Medical Sciences. This model will provide information on clot structure and dissolution under physiological flow rates and will be a valuable model to test current or future ’clot-busting’ therapies.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
13/NS/0150
Date of REC Opinion
9 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion