Studies in Experimental Extracorporeal Thrombosis

Effects of anticoagulants, heparin and hirudin, on extracorporeal thrombosis were studied in thirty-three experiments by means of the extracorporeal vascular loop. In spite of adequate single doses of the anticoagulants white thrombi are formed and obstruction to flow may follow in the course of time, but the formation of red thrombi is markedly retarded. 2. The new method throws some light on the mechanics of thrombosis. The influences of foreign surfaces, of irregularities on the surface of the vessels, of whirlpools and of eddying motion of the blood current and of slowing and of stagnation with consequent prolonged contact with foreign surfaces are demonstrated, and these are analyzed in respect to the laying down of platelets and leucocytes. 3. The structure of white thrombi formed after anticoagulant injection is almost identical with that described by Welch. In one respect, however, the present results appear to differ from his: the formation of fibrin is postponed and retarded, and hence the collections of platelets are deposited in greater amount.