Friday October 18, 2013
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Red Blood Cells
Image: Renjith Krishnan FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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MIT researchers have developed a test to detect blood clots that can
sometimes go undetected. Using nanoparticles, they developed a way to
detect an important blood clotting factor called thrombin. Blood clot
formation is directed by platelets
and is necessary to prevent excessive blood loss from broken blood
vessels. Blood clots can also form during prolonged periods of
inactivity or after taking certain medications. Blood clots can be
dangerous if they break free and block vessels in vital organs such as
the brain, heart, or lungs.
According to researcher Sangeeta Bhatia, "Some patients are at more
risk for clotting, but existing blood tests are not consistently able to
detect the formation of new clots." The researchers contend that this
technology could be used to screen patients for blood clots and to
monitor patients who are at high risk for developing blood clots
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