Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Endothelium-Modulated Thrombosis.

The development of blood-wetted artificial organs is limited by thrombosis on synthetic biomaterial surfaces. In contrast, the endothelium of the vasculature creates a natural barrier to both thrombosis and pannus growth. Consequently, efforts have been made to endothelialize synthetic biomaterials used in blood-wetted devices. Therefore, this study was undertaken to provide a numerical model to simulate the inhibitory effects of EC-derived nitric oxide (NO) on platelet deposition. An existing multi-constituent continuum model of thrombosis was amended to incorporate shear-dependent generation of NO as an anticoagulant. A simulation was performed of blood flow through a bipartite parallel plate channel having an endothelialized upstream layer followed by a pro-coagulant collagen surface downstream. The simulation showed that endothelial-derived NO inhibited downstream platelet deposition, reducing thrombus growth and creating a thrombus-free zone immediately downstream. This enhanced simulation model of thrombosis provides insights into factors that may guide future endothelialization of artificial organs and other blood-wetted devices.