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In Vitro Blood Clot Formation and Dissolution for Testing New Stroke-Treatment Devices
Kayla Wood1, Sam E Stephens1, Feng Xu1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA.
Insights
This study developed a method to create realistic blood clots for stroke treatment research. This innovation aims to improve clot removal devices, reducing mortality and vessel damage during ischemic stroke interventions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Neurology
Background:
- Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death globally, often caused by arterial blockages.
- Current treatments for ischemic stroke, like clot retrieval devices, have limitations including high mortality and vessel damage.
- Developing effective clot removal strategies is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create reproducible in vivo-like blood clots for research purposes.
- To evaluate a novel method for dissolving and removing these blood clots.
- To advance the development of safer and more effective stroke retrieval devices.
Main Methods:
- Blood clots were formed using a mixture of whole sheep blood and calcium chloride solution, then solidified.
- Human plasmin was applied to clots via soaking, injection, and membrane perfusion to assess dissolution.
- Varied clot types were created to mimic physiological diversity and their dissolution properties were analyzed.
Main Results:
- A reproducible method for generating in vivo-representative blood clots was established.
- Different clot dissolution percentages were observed based on the plasmin introduction method.
- Evaluation of various clot types provided insights into their dissolution characteristics.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully created a model for in vivo-like blood clots.
- This model is essential for developing improved stroke retrieval devices.
- The research aims to reduce mortality and minimize vessel damage in ischemic stroke treatment.
Abstract:
Strokes are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Ischemic stroke, due to plaque or other buildup blocking blood flow to the brain, is the most common type. Although ischemic stroke is treatable, current methods have severe shortcomings with high mortality rates. Clot retrieval devices, for example, can result in physically damaged vessels and death. This study aims to create blood clots that are representative of those found in vivo and demonstrate a new method of removing them. Static blood clots were formed using a 9:1 ratio of whole sheep blood and 2.45% calcium chloride solution. This mixture was heated in a water bath at 37 °C for approximately one hour until solidified. Following clot solidification, human plasmin was introduced by various methods, including soaking, injection, and membrane perfusion, and the resulting dissolution percentages were determined. Different clot types, representative of the wide range found physiologically, were also manufactured and their dissolution characteristics evaluated. A method to reproducibly create blood clots, characteristic of those found in vivo, is essential for the production of stroke retrieval devices that can efficiently and effectively remove clots from patients with low mortality rates and little/no damage to the surrounding vessels.
