Mini 'arteries-on-a-chip' could help predict a person's risk of stroke

Researchers have developed miniaturized copies of a person's carotid artery, known as "arteries-on-a-chip," which could help predict and manage stroke risk, according to a new study published in the journal Cell Biomaterials. By monitoring real blood flow through these patient-specific artery models, doctors could identify the type of clots that form and determine the most effective medications to deal with the blockage.

Study first author Charles Zhao, a doctoral student at the University of Sydney, said the approach could be particularly relevant for difficult clinical cases, such as patients with recurrent events despite treatment or those with multiple possible treatment strategies but limited functional information to distinguish between them.

Ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot blocking an artery in the brain, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The models recreate the exact shape and structure of an individual patient's blood vessels using 3D printing, and blood is passed through the replica artery to mimic the speed and pressure of blood flow in the body.

By combining calculations with patient-specific artery structures and real blood flow tests, the researchers can create a more accurate picture of how clots form and shed, revealing differences between seemingly equivalent patients that medical images alone cannot capture. These functional differences are important in determining the most effective treatment for a given patient.