title: Measurement of whole blood thrombus formation using parallel-plate flow chambers - a practical guide.
abstract: Custom-made and commercial parallel-plate flow chambers are widely used for studies of platelet activation and thrombus formation in whole blood at defined shear rates. When used in a reproducible way, such flow chamber devices give valuable information on the thrombogenic potential of human, mouse, or rat blood. This article aims to provide a practical guide for the use of parallel-plate flow chambers in combination with routine microscopic imaging techniques. The following methodological aspects are addressed: preparation of surface coatings, calculation of blood flow and shear rate, control of pre-analytical variables, protocols for routine performing of flow chamber tests with non-coagulating or coagulating blood, and procedures for real-time and end-point analysis of thrombus formation. Frequently encountered experimental problems and artifacts are discussed, as well as possibilities for using flow chamber devices as a diagnostic tool to test antithrombotic medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Van Kruchten
authors.forename: Judith M E M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cosemans
authors.forename: Johan W M
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Heemskerk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D015539:Platelet Activation; D010979:Platelet Function Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats