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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
New trends in bioanalytical microdevices to assess platelet function
Lourdes Basabe-Desmonts1, Gerardene Meade, Dermot Kenny
1Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland. lourdes.b.desmonts@dcu.ie
Insights
New diagnostic tests for platelet function offer rapid, whole-blood analysis, improving cardiovascular disease and cancer risk management. These advanced assays better reflect real-world conditions than traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
- Platelets and antiplatelet drugs are crucial in CVD treatment.
- Emerging evidence highlights platelet roles in cancer and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the need for improved diagnostic assays of platelet function.
- To overcome limitations of current platelet aggregation tests.
- To guide clinical management in complex disease states.
Main Methods:
- Development of new technology platforms for platelet function analysis.
- Utilizing small volumes of whole blood for testing.
- Assessing physiological platelet adhesion to vascular matrices.
Main Results:
- New assays provide rapid results.
- These tests reflect platelet function in a more physiological context.
- They overcome the limitations of traditional, cumbersome aggregation tests.
Conclusions:
- Emerging platelet function technologies offer significant advantages.
- These advancements can guide therapy in cardiovascular disease prevention.
- They hold potential for risk management in cancer and atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality globally. The role of platelets and antiplatelet drugs in the treatment of cardiovascular disease is widely appreciated. Platelets have a less well-known role in cancer and inflammation and as the role of platelets in cancer and inflammation is increasingly understood, there is a compelling need to develop diagnostic assays of platelet function to guide clinical management. Most current platelet-function tests are focused on platelet aggregation, are cumbersome, require dedicated laboratory personnel, measure a single response to a single agonist and artificially separate platelets from blood, thus, these assays do not reflect the pathophysiolgical environment of complex disease states. New technology platforms are emerging that address the physiological adhesive function of platelets to vascular-specific matrices using small volumes of whole blood, giving rapid results. These technologies will guide therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and probably in risk management in both cancer and atherosclerosis.
