TY - CONF A1 - Birkenmaier, Clemens A1 - Steiger, Tamara A1 - Philipp, Alois A1 - Lehle, Karla A1 - Krenkel, Lars T1 - Flow-induced accumulations of von Willebrand factor inside oxygenators during extracorporeal life support therapy T2 - Proceedings of 12th International Conference BIOMDLORE 2018, June 28–30, 2018, Białystok, Poland N2 - BACKGROUND: Shear-induced conformational changes of von Willebrand factor (vWF) may be responsible for coagulation disorder and clot formation inside membrane oxygenators (MOs) during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify vWF structures inside clinically used MOs and employ computational fluid dynamics to verify the corresponding flow conditions. METHODS: Samples from gas exchange membranes (GEM) from MOs were analysed for accumulations of vWF and P-selectin-positive platelets using immunofluorescence techniques. Streamlines and shear rates of the flow around GEMs were computed using a laminar steady Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes approach. RESULTS: Most samples were colonized with equally distributed leukocytes, integrated in thin cobweb-like vWF-structures. Only 25 % of the samples showed extended accumulations of vWF. Computed streamlines showed considerable cross flow between interconnected neighbouring channels. Stagnation points were non-symmetric and contact faces were washed around closely. The occurring maximum shear rates ranged from 2,500 to 3,000 1/s. CONCLUSIONS: If pronounced vWF structures are present, shape and extent match the flow computations well. Computed shear rates bear a critical degree of uncertainty due to the improper viscosity model. If flow conditions inside the MO were sufficient to affect vWF, a more consistent distribution of vWF across the samples should be present. KW - Blood Viscosity KW - Shear Rate Induced Coagulation KW - Hemodynamics KW - Membrane Oxygenator KW - von Willebrand factor Y1 - 2023 UR - https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-oth-regensburg/frontdoor/index/index/docId/5787 SN - 978-1-5386-2396-1 PB - IEEE CY - Piscataway, NJ ER -