Modeling Thrombosis on Moving Structures

Blood clotting is a complex phenomenon which involves interplay between biochemistry and fluid dynamics. The introduction of tissue factor and collagen initiates a cascade of chemical reactions leading to thrombus formation. Platelets convert to an activated state, forming inter-platelet bonds and bonds with the exposed subendothelium, creating an initial platelet plug. The complex coagulation pathways, consisting of both inhibitory and activation pathways, attempt to localize the clot growth to the injury zone; however, failure of this system can lead to myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke if the thrombus embolizes. Thrombi near moving structures, such as the aortic or venous valves or in the left atrial appendage, are at higher risk of embolization. Here we present a model of porous, viscoelastic thrombus growth in the presence of a moving structure. While we approach the model from the perspective of thrombosis on moving structures, e.g. on the aortic valve, our approach can be extended to model other systems that involve deposition and growth of a viscoelastic material.