Innovative Device Revolutionizes Thrombosis Risk Assessment for Patients

ISLAMABAD: Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) have introduced a groundbreaking diagnostic device designed to enhance the assessment of thrombosis risk in patients. This innovative platform, detailed in a recent study published in *Nature Communications*, leverages the principles of mechanobiology to simulate real-life conditions in narrowed arteries, offering a more personalized approach to evaluating clot risk.

The study, led by Misbahud Din, a biomedical researcher at UTMB, and supervised by Dr. Yunfeng Chen, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UTMB, addresses critical shortcomings in current thrombotic risk assessments. Current blood clotting tests often fail to accurately replicate the mechanical forces acting on blood in diseased arteries, which can lead to undetected risks of thrombus formation.

"Standard lab assays do not capture the physical forces acting on blood inside constricted arteries," said Din. "Our device mimics those conditions to reveal how a patient’s blood behaves under stress—something conventional tests cannot achieve."

The device utilizes fluorescent dyes and microfluidics to create a miniaturized system that channels blood samples through artificially narrowed passages, effectively simulating stenotic arteries. This system measures seven critical characteristics of thrombus formation, including clot size, composition, and platelet activation, ultimately generating a unique “barcode” that reflects each patient's clotting behavior.

Dr. Chen emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, "The larger the thrombus, the more dangerous it becomes. When a clot obstructs blood flow, it can result in ischemia, stroke, or heart attack—some of the most severe cardiovascular events."

The research highlights that mechanical stress notably enhances platelet adhesion and aggregation, providing a comprehensive method for understanding thrombus dynamics in a personalized manner. The implications of this technology extend beyond individual patient assessments; they could also influence broader clinical practices in cardiovascular care.

As cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting approximately 17.9 million deaths annually due to these conditions, the introduction of innovative diagnostic tools is paramount. The ability to personalize thrombosis risk assessments could potentially lead to earlier interventions and improved patient outcomes.

The findings from this study are expected to open avenues for further research into mechanobiology and its applications in clinical diagnostics. Dr. Chen and Din plan to collaborate with other research institutions and clinical partners to validate their device in larger patient populations.

As healthcare continues to evolve with technological advancements, the UTMB team's work stands as a testament to the potential of innovative devices in transforming patient care and enhancing the precision of risk assessments in thrombosis management.