Vascular potential and thrombosis.

The electrochemical phenomena related to the negative charge of blood cells have provided a means of defining the importance of these parameters in vascular thrombosis. In parallel with these works, measurements of transmembrane potential have revealed that the vessel wall also carries negative charges and thus takes part in the repulsion of blood cells and prevents them from being adhesive on the intima. These charges come from various origins (ion or protein adsorption, active transfer through the vascular wall, ionized groups...). Vascular potential can be approached by means of various techniques: transmembrane potential (electro-osmosis), circulation potential (in vitro and in vivo). On the basis of published results and his own personal research, the author compares the different values that have been obtained. Consequently, it has been observed that the transmembrane charge measurements that are accessible using electro-osmosis techniques and streaming potential do reflect some discordances according to the methods used. The importance of these parameters and the part they play in thrombosis phenomena is discussed.