1
|
Mardanpour MM, Sudalaiyadum Perumal A, Mahmoodi Z, Baassiri K, Montiel-Rubies G, LeDez KM, Nicolau DV. Investigation of air bubble behaviour after gas embolism events induced in a microfluidic network mimicking microvasculature. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2518-2536. [PMID: 38623600 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00087k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Gas embolism is a medical condition that occurs when gas bubbles are present in veins or arteries, decreasing blood flow and potentially reducing oxygen delivery to vital organs, such as the brain. Although usually reported as rare, gas embolism can lead to severe neurological damage or death. However, presently, only limited understanding exists regarding the microscale processes leading to the formation, persistence, movement, and resolution of gas emboli, as modulated by microvasculature geometrical features and blood properties. Because gas embolism is initially a physico-chemical-only process, with biological responses starting later, the opportunity exists to fully study the genesis and evolution of gas emboli using in vitro microfluidic networks mimicking small regions of microvasculature. The microfluidics networks used in this study, which aim to mimic microvasculature geometry, comprise linear channels with T-, or Y-junction air inlets, with 20, 40, and 60 μm widths (arterial or venous), and a 30 μm width honeycombed network (arterial) with three bifurcation angles (30°, 60°, and 90°). Synthetic blood, equivalent to 46% haematocrit concentrations, and water were used to study the modulation of gas embolism-like events by liquid viscosity. Our study shows that (i) longer bubbles with lower velocity occur in narrower channels, e.g., with 20 μm width; (ii) the resistance of air bubbles to the flow increases with the higher haematocrit concentration; and lastly (iii) the propensity of gas embolism-like events in honeycomb architectures increases for more acute, e.g., 30°, bifurcation angles. A dimensionless analysis using Euler, Weber, and capillary numbers demarcated the conditions conducive to gas embolism. This work suggests that in vitro experimentation using microfluidic devices with microvascular tissue-like structures could assist medical guidelines and management in preventing and mitigating the effects of gas embolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mahdi Mardanpour
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | | | - Zahra Mahmoodi
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | - Karine Baassiri
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | - Gala Montiel-Rubies
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | - Kenneth M LeDez
- Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Dan V Nicolau
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 0E9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ma Y, Miao J, Ge S. Intraoperative Cerebral Arterial Air Embolism: A Rare and Shocking Imaging Record. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol 2023; 35:255-256. [PMID: 35650683 DOI: 10.1097/ana.0000000000000858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- YuanYuan Ma
- Department of Anesthesia, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|