DVT and its effect on clot microstructure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Investigation into whether the fibrin clot micro-structure formed in patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is abnormal using Gel Point and fractal analysis
IRAS ID
152888
Contact name
Phillip Adrian Evans Evans
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
ABMU Health Board
Research summary
In our previous study [1] (phase I)(Ethics Ref# 07/WMW02/34) it was determined that blood had a definite gel point, the point of incipient blood clot formation, and a definite structure by using analysis of this gel point by interpretation of blood clots as having a fractal structure. This is the first time that this has been achieved in studies of whole blood and it grants the ability to determine the clot quality in terms of its strength by calculating its fractal structure accurately. The density of this fractal structure can be assigned a quantitative value, called the Fractal Dimension, which is a measure of the density of the fractal pattern and hence subsequent correlation to the density of the mature clot. The phase I study demonstrated that blood consistently went through a gel point at 4 to 5 minutes and gave a fractal dimension of 1.73 ± 0.04 [1]. Extending from this previous study, a further aim is to now look at people with deep vein thrombosis and examine their blood clotting profile with the new blood clotting rheological method of gel point and fractal dimension. We will then compare this to standard laboratory tests during diagnosis and treatment of this condition. The primary aim will be to assess if this new method of examining blood coagulation using df and gel point analysis can identify differences in clot microstructure of those patients with a DVT compared to those without. The secondary aim will be to determine if treatment has a significant effect on these parameters.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1231
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion