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Updated: May 19, 2026
Thrombus Profiling Assay: A Microfluidics-Based Platform for Comprehensively Characterizing Biomechanical Thrombogenesis
Published on: January 9, 2026
Monitoring in vitro thrombus formation with novel microfluidic devices
Erik Westein1, Susanne de Witt, Moniek Lamers
1Department of Biochemistry, CARIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. erikwestein@hotmail.com
Insights
Microfluidic devices offer a faster way to test platelet function for cardiovascular disease research. These advanced tools help monitor thrombus formation under controlled conditions, potentially improving patient treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular research
- Hematology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases are a leading global cause of death, with thrombosis being a key factor.
- Platelet activation and coagulation are critical to thrombosis, differing between arterial and venous systems.
- In vitro perfusion chambers have advanced understanding of platelet function under shear stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review progress in monitoring thrombus formation using microfluidic devices.
- To highlight the potential of microfluidics in studying platelet function and thrombosis.
- To discuss the clinical implications and validation needs of microfluidic technologies.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing microfluidic devices to simulate blood flow conditions.
- Applying downscaled in vitro perfusion chamber technology.
- Precisely controlling flow conditions for platelet function tests.
Main Results:
- Microfluidic devices enable rapid platelet function testing with minimal blood samples.
- These devices allow for the study of platelet function under precisely controlled shear conditions.
- Significant progress has been made in monitoring thrombus formation aspects via microfluidics.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidic devices represent a promising advancement for studying thrombosis and cardiovascular diseases.
- They offer faster, more efficient platelet function assays compared to traditional methods.
- Further validation studies are necessary before widespread clinical adoption for cardiovascular disease management.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality globally and is subject to ongoing research to improve clinical treatment. It is established that activation of platelets and coagulation are central to thrombosis, yet at different extents in the arterial and venous system. In vitro perfusion chamber technology has contributed significant knowledge on the function of platelets in the thrombotic process under shear conditions. Recent efforts to downscale this technique with a variety of microfluidic devices has opened new possibilities to study this process under precisely controlled flow conditions. Such microfluidic devices possess the capability to execute platelet function tests more quickly than current assays, while using small blood samples. Gradually becoming available to the clinic now, they may provide a new means to manage the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, although accurate validation studies still are missing. This review highlights the progress that has been made in monitoring aspects of thrombus formation using microfluidic devices.
