Effects of exercise intensity on clot microstructure and mechanical properties in healthy individuals.

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Author
Davies, Nia
Llwyd, L
Brugniaux, J.V.
Davies, G.R.
Marley, C.J.
Hodson, D
Lawrence, M.J.
D'Silva, L.A.
Morris, Keith
Williams, P.R.
Bailey, D.M.
Evans, P.A.
Date
2016-07Acceptance date
2016-05-18
Type
Article
Publisher
Elsevier
ISSN
0049-3848
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background
Exercise is well established to lead to exercise-induced hypercoagulability, as demonstrated by kinetic coagulation markers. It remains unclear as to whether exercise-induces changes lead in clot development and increased polymerisation. Fractal dimension (df) has been shown to act as a marker of clot microstructure and mechanical properties, and may provide a more meaningful method of determining the relationship between exercise-induced hypercoagulability and potential clot development.
Methods
df was measured in 24 healthy individuals prior to, after 5 min of submaximal exercise, following maximal exercise, 45 min of passive recovery and following 60 min of recovery. Results were compared with conventional markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis and SEM images.
Results
Significantly increased df was observed following exercise, returning to resting values following 60 min of recovery. The relationship between df and mature clot microstructure was confirmed by SEM: higher df was associated with dense clots formed of smaller fibrin fibres immediately following exercise compared to at rest. Conventional markers of coagulation confirmed findings of previous studies.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that df is a sensitive technique which quantifies the structure and properties of blood clots following exercise. In healthy individuals, the haemostatic balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis is maintained in equilibrium following exercise. In individuals with underlying vascular damage who participate in exercise, this equilibrium may be displaced and lead to enhanced clot formation and a prothrombotic state. df may therefore have the potential to not only quantify hypercoagulability, but may also be useful in screening these individuals.
Journal/conference proceeding
Thrombosis Research;
Collections
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