Biology subjects

Hoekstra, A. G.

Publications and source records attributed to Hoekstra, A. G..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Initial platelet aggregation in the complex shear environment of a punctured vessel model

To analyze flow conditions and cellular behavior at the onset of a hemostatic response in the injury of a microneedle-induced vessel puncture, a combined in silico and in vitro platform is created. A cell-resolved blood flow model is utilized for in-depth flow profile and cell distribution analyses and a novel punctured vessel flow chamber is set up to complement the simulations with the evaluation of platelet aggregation around the wound neck of the puncture. The respective setups of the platform are explained and the results of both experiments and simulations with various puncture diameters and pressure drops are combined, providing detailed insight into the basic processes of platelet transport and aggregation in the wound area. A special emphasis of the simulation evaluation is put on the cell distributions and the magnitude of shear rate and elongational flow in the wound neck area, as well as downstream from the puncture. Additionally, possible implications of wound size and pressure difference on the hemostatic response are discussed. The simulations display asymmetric cell distributions between the proximal and distal side of the wound neck in regards to flow direction. The flow chamber with the puncture diameter closest to the simulated domains confirms this asymmetry by displaying increased platelet aggregation at the wound necks distal side. The presented punctured vessel in silico and in vitro experimental setups offer a platform to analyze the hemostatic environment of a vessel injured by a puncture and might assist in identifying differentiating factors between primary hemostasis and arterial thrombosis.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2023

Image-based Flow Simulation of Platelet Aggregates under Different Shear Rates

Hemodynamics is crucial for the activation and aggregation of platelets in response to flow-induced shear. In this paper, a novel image-based computational model simulating blood flow through and around platelet aggregates is presented. The microstructure of aggregates was captured by two different modalities of microscopy images of in vitro whole blood perfusion experiments in microfluidic chambers coated with collagen. One set of images captured the geometry of the aggregate outline, while the other employed platelet labelling to infer the internal density. The platelet aggregates were modelled as a porous medium, the permeability of which was calculated with the Kozeny-Carman equation. The computational model was subsequently applied to study hemodynamics inside and around the platelet aggregates. The blood flow velocity, shear stress and kinetic force exerted on the aggregates were investigated and compared under 800 s-1, 1600 s-1 and 4000 s-1 wall shear rates. The advection-diffusion balance of agonist transport inside the platelet aggregates was also evaluated by local Peclet number. The findings show that the transport of agonists is not only affected by the shear rate but also significantly influenced by the microstructure of the aggregates. Moreover, large kinetic forces were found at the transition zone from shell to core of the aggregates, which could contribute to identifying the boundary between the shell and the core. The shear rate and the rate of elongation flow were investigated as well. The results imply that the emerging shapes of aggregates are highly correlated to the shear rate and the rate of elongation. The framework provides a way to incorporate the internal microstructure of the aggregates into the computational model and yields a better understanding of the hemodynamics and physiology of platelet aggregates, hence laying the foundation for predicting aggregation and deformation under different flow conditions. Author summaryThe initial step in the formation of an arterial thrombus is the rapid aggregation of the tiny blood particles called platelets. This process significantly influences the formation and structure of the resulting thrombi. The mechanical properties of the aggregates depend on their microstructure, which in turn is dictated by their interaction with the flow during formation. However, due to currently existing technological limitations, it is not possible to measure these interactions in sufficient detail experimentally. In this paper, an image-based computational model is proposed based on two different modalities of experimental images, that can complement the experiments and give detailed information on hemodynamics during the aggregation. The image sets are captured from whole blood perfused microfluidic chambers coated with collagen. One modality of images captured the shape of the aggregate outline with high contrast, while the other employed platelet labeling to infer the internal density. The platelet aggregates are considered as porous media in the simulations, informed by the images. This framework incorporates the internal microstructure of the aggregates into the computational model and yields a better understanding of the hemodynamics and physiology of platelet aggregates, hence laying the foundation for predicting aggregation and deformation under different flow conditions.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2021

On the sensitivity analysis of porous finite element models for cerebral perfusion estimation

Computational physiological models are promising tools to enhance the design of clinical trials and to assist in decision making. Organ-scale haemodynamic models are gaining popularity to evaluate perfusion in a virtual environment both in healthy and diseased patients. Recently, the principles of verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification of such physiological models have been laid down to ensure safe applications of engineering software in the medical device industry. The present study sets out to establish guidelines for the usage of a three-dimensional steady state porous cerebral perfusion model of the human brain following principles detailed in the verification and validation (V&V 40) standard of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The model relies on the finite element method and has been developed specifically to estimate how brain perfusion is altered in ischaemic stroke patients before, during, and after treatments. Simulations are compared with exact analytical solutions and a thorough sensitivity analysis is presented covering every numerical and physiological model parameter. The results suggest that such porous models can approximate blood pressure and perfusion distributions reliably even on a coarse grid with first order elements. On the other hand, higher order elements are essential to mitigate errors in volumetric blood flow rate estimation through cortical surface regions. Matching the volumetric flow rate corresponding to major cerebral arteries is identified as a validation milestone. It is found that inlet velocity boundary conditions are hard to obtain and that constant pressure inlet boundary conditions are feasible alternatives. A one-dimensional model is presented which can serve as a computationally inexpensive replacement of the three-dimensional brain model to ease parameter optimisation, sensitivity analyses and uncertainty quantification. The findings of the present study can be generalised to organ-scale porous perfusion models. The results increase the applicability of computational tools regarding treatment development for stroke and other cerebrovascular conditions.

biophysics↗