Microvasculature‐on‐a‐Post Chip That Recapitulates Prothrombotic Vascular Geometries and 3D Flow Disturbance

Abstract

Abstract Stenosis, characterized by partial vessel narrowing, alters blood hemodynamics and can lead to unpredictable thrombosis. Existing models struggle to accurately represent the complex vascular geometries and hemodynamics involved in such conditions. To address this challenge, a microvasculature‐on‐a‐post chip is developed to mimic partially stenotic vascular geometries and thrombogenicity, featuring isolated 3D micropost structures with variable sizes that recreate disturbed flow profiles. To emulate the diseased vessel wall, the post microfluidics are vascularized with a confluent layer of endothelial cells. Subsequently, human blood is perfused through the endothelialized post microfluidics, observing the temporal and spatial thrombotic response governed by Virchow's triad, including vessel wall injury, hemodynamic disturbance, and hypercoagulability. The innovative model offers valuable insights into stenosis‐induced thrombosis and endothelial behavior, paving the way for improved assessment of thrombotic risks associated with stenotic vessels. This advanced microfluidic platform also offers new approaches for evaluation of prothrombotic phenotypes and cardiovascular risk assessment in the future.

Keywords

• flow disturbance
• mechanobiology
• microfluidics
• Stenosis
• thrombosis