A preliminary in silico study of flow-mediated thrombosis in medical devices

Abstract

Failure of blood-contacting medical devices, such as vascular grafts and stents, is often attributed to thrombosis-related complications. To provide an alternative insight into the often very complex interaction between the forming clot and blood flow, the study introduces a continuum-based computational model based on a two-way coupled modelling approach. The basis of the model is formed by three interconnected submodels, each representing an essential part of the highly dynamic thrombosis process (blood clotting, fibrin polymerisation, and platelet plug formation). For the description of blood flow exposed to a coagulation trigger, a multiscale approach is used to ensure physiologically relevant flow conditions even during an imminent vessel blockage.