A Model Incorporating some of the Mechanical and Biochemical Factors Underlying Clot Formation and Lysis in Flowing Blood
K. R. Rajagopal
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Texas A&M University
Texas-77843
Multiple interacting mechanisms control the formation and lysis of clots to maintain blood in a state of delicate balance. In addition to a myriad of biochemical reactions, rheological factors also play a crucial role in modulating the response of blood to external stimuli. Most of the existing models emphasze either one or the other of the factors. Recently, a reasonably comprehensive model for clot formation and lysis that takes into account the biochemical, medical and rheological factors, has been put into place. In this paper, after discussing the various bio-chemical, physiologic and rheological factors I will develop a model for clot formation and lysis that incorporates many of the relevant crucial factors that have a bearing on the problem. The model, though just a first step towards understanding a complex phenomenon, goes further than previous models in integrating the biochemical, physiologic and rheological factors that come into play.