Evaluation of thrombi formed in Af blood at 1,500 s−1 against a very high shear rate. (A) Control (•) or Af (patient No. 1) (◊) blood was perfused over a collagen-coated surface under 1,500 s−1 for 3 minutes. Based on the amount of platelets adhering to the surface, thrombi of Af formed more rapidly than those of the control. When the shear rate applied was increased stepwise to 4,500 s−1 at 3 minutes after the beginning of perfusion, the time-dependent thrombus growth in Af blood was arrested, while thrombus growth in control blood was accelerated. (B) Consecutive images of thrombi in Af blood collapsing under a shear rate of 4,500 s−1. The images at 2-second intervals were captured immediately after the shear rate transition to 4,500 s−1. Note that thrombi in Af blood collapse as a function of time, especially around the areas indicated (⋆).
