Insights Into Early Detection of Thrombosis by Correlating Hematological Parameters of Blood With Its Electrical Equivalent Using Impedance Spectroscopy

Objective: This study was carried out to detect thrombus formation in blood using electrical impedance spectroscopy and validate the findings with biological techniques. Since the currently available methods of detection pose limitations, a simple and efficient way for detecting blood clots was developed considering electrically equivalent parameters of blood. Methods: Electrical impedance was measured in blood samples of rats treated with varying dosages of thrombin by subjecting them to varying frequencies. Additionally, platelets (the primary cells involved in blood clotting) were isolated and studied using light transmission aggregometry and other imaging techniques to evaluate the impact of thrombin on platelets. Results: The changes observed in the electrical parameters of thrombin-treated blood showed a decrease in impedance along with an increase in capacitance with increasing dosage of thrombin. Electrical conductivity was analyzed to be lowest (0.105±0.024 S/m) with the highest thrombin dose (1U,60mins) and time-lapse post-treatment. Further, the equivalent circuit model describes the electrical equivalent parameters of cellular blood components. Finally, biological validation using platelets confirmed a significant decrease in light absorbance and enhanced adhesion to collagen-coated surfaces with thrombin. Scanning electron microscopy validated the platelet aggregates during clot formation. Conclusion: Electrical equivalent parameters of blood components can efficiently be used in detecting thrombus formation. Significance: Our findings in this paper provide a novel electrical circuit to evaluate the fluctuations in electrical parameters that blood components undergo during clot formation validated by biological techniques.