Numerical investigation of mural thrombus formation in stenosed microvessels using a microfluidic platform

Abstract

Vascular stenosis is the localized narrowing of blood vessels resulting from plaque accumulation along the vessel walls. Such constriction reshapes local flow patterns and alters local hemodynamics, promoting platelet activation and aggregation downstream. Over time, these disturbances can lead to the development of mural thrombus. In this study, we investigated the effect of geometrical variations within stenosed microvessels, including severity of stenosis, angular topology, curvature, and post-stenotic dilatation (PSD), on blood flow characteristics governing thrombus initiation. To investigate these effects, a combined experimental and computational approach was adopted. Microchannels were fabricated using stereolithography based 3D printing and soft lithography processes. The fabricated highresolution, leak-proof microdevices were used for flow characterization. Subsequently, experiments were conducted on fabricated microchannel to validated the computational blood-flow model and accuracy of the computation approach.