Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
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Time (sec)
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(b)
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Figure 11.16
Results of sensitivity experiments for Factor VII. (a) 25% reduction in tissue fac-
tor-Factor VII binding, (b) 25% reduction in Factor VII activation, and (c) 25% reduction in both
binding and activation, showing Factor Va (Factor Villa (-A-), Factor IXa ( O-), Factor Xa (— x), and
thrombin (-C ) versus simulation time.
fibrinolysis pathways in an effort to evaluate the potential for a two-mutation
condition.
The working hypothesis is that coupled mutations in these two pathways may
place an individual at significant risk for DIC because it lowers the dynamic range in
homeostasis that is critical to support the interactions between coagulation and
fibrinolysis that normally occur. In such a patient, small perturbations could easily
exceed the capacity of the system to compensate and thus place the patient in this
unbalanced and uncontrollable state. A goal of such studies is the potential develop-
ment of a diagnostic screen that could identify those patients at high risk for DIC
and further help establish appropriate means for monitoring and controlling their
potential risk.
This example is intended to show the potential for using such in silico
approaches to evaluate multiple hypotheses that can then lead to laboratory valida-
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