Cardiovascular Flow
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Non-physiological flow patterns influence hemostasis by chronically activating platelets, which can lead to hemolysis, platelet destruction and thromboembolism. Platelets are activated by high shear stress like those experienced in the housing gaps of medical devices such as mechanical heart valves and heart pumps. The level of platelet activation is proportionally related to the time exposure, accumulating with repeated exposures. Flow-induced shear platelet activation causes both platelet aggregation and thrombin generation with high potential for thromboembolism and stroke.
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