Rheometry and associated techniques for blood coagulation studies

Med Eng Phys. 2008 Jul;30(6):671-9. doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2007.08.005. Epub 2007 Sep 27.

Abstract

This review considers various rheometrical approaches that have been adopted to study blood coagulation, with special reference to the rheological assessment of clotting time and studies of the evolution of viscoelasticity during the course of fibrin polymerization and cross-linking. The significance of the Gel Point in blood coagulation studies is discussed as a common feature of many of these studies in that they attempt to detect a liquid-to-solid transition during coagulation. Coagulation studies based on various forms of complex shear modulus measurements are considered, the latter being based principally on controlled stress and controlled strain rheometers. Also considered are the long established technique of thromboelastography and several emerging techniques such as wave propagation measurements, free oscillation rheometry, quartz crystal microbalance measurements and surface plasmon resonance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Blood Coagulation / physiology
  • Blood Coagulation Tests / methods*
  • Blood Viscosity
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Hemorheology / methods*
  • Humans
  • Oscillometry
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Thrombelastography