Comparison of thrombus adhesion and aggregation forces in microfluidic chips: Insights into thrombus stability and embolus formation

The formation and stability of thrombus are pivotal in the treatment of thromboembolic diseases, as they determine the development and persistence of thrombus in the bloodstream, ultimately affecting its likelihood of dissolution or thromboembolic vascular occlusion. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of thrombus stability is essential for devising effective strategies to prevent and manage thromboembolic events. In this study, we utilized a shear-induced microfluidic chip to examine the critical stages of thrombus formation and to quantify both adhesion and aggregation forces. The results revealed that the adhesion forces were significantly stronger than the aggregation forces. Also, the bonding force of thrombus increased proportionally to the wall shear rate. With SEM imaging, we were able to observe that the interactions between collagen and platelets played a crucial role in these enhanced bonding forces. These findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of thrombus formation and may inform future studies aimed at improving therapeutic approaches.