Platelet margination dynamics in blood flow: The role of lift forces and red blood cells aggregation

Abstract

The presence of platelets near vessel walls is crucial for clot formation to stop bleeding. We examine platelet margination influenced by red blood cell (RBC) aggregation through numerical simulation. Our findings indicate that moderate to strong RBC aggregation enhances platelet margination in microcirculation, thereby improving the capacity to stop bleeding. This mechanism offers a natural counteraction against major bleeding in conditions such as diabetes, where strong RBC aggregation is commonly observed.