Figure 7.

Model of bi-phasic thrombus formation under shear rate gradients. Shear rate gradients (SRG) found at the site of vessel stenosis favor the adsorption of plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) on immobilized weak adhesive proteins such as fibrinogen (1). This process allows recruitment of circulating platelets at elevated wall shear rates (2). VWF fibers are then forming on a monolayer of adherent platelets at distance of the surface (3). The VWF fibers initiate rapid platelet aggregation which can lead to occlusive thrombosis (4).