title: Novel methodology to replicate clot analogs with diverse composition in acute ischemic stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Translational research on clot composition may be advanced by the use of clot analogs for the preclinical evaluation of mechanical thrombectomy devices. This work describes a novel set of clot analogs to represent a diverse range of fibrin and red blood cell (RBC) compositions for use in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) occlusion models.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh whole blood obtained from ovine species was used to create seven different clot analog types. Five replicates were formed for each clot type. Varying amounts of whole blood constituents were mixed with thrombotic factors to create clots of varying compositions. Following histological processing, five sections from each clot were stained with H&E and Martius Scarlet Blue. Fibrin, RBC and white blood cell compositions were quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histological examination demonstrated that the clot types had a distinct RBC and fibrin composition. No significant difference in composition was shown between replicates (p>0.05), indicating that the method of clot formation was reproducible. Percentage fibrin composition of the clot types was 1%, 8%, 31%, 38%, 64%, 79%, and 100%. A significant difference in fibrin and RBC composition between clot types was observed (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seven different clot types were developed to replicate common AIS thrombi. These clot analogs may be beneficial for the preclinical evaluation of endovascular therapies, and may be applied to interventional technique training.
authors.affiliation: Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Galway Medical Technologies Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland.|Neuravi Ltd, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.affiliation: Neuropathology Department, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.affiliation: Neuravi Ltd, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McArdle
authors.affiliation: Neuropathology Department, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.affiliation: Neuravi Ltd, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vale
authors.affiliation: Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Galway Medical Technologies Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rainsford
authors.affiliation: Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Galway Medical Technologies Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Liam
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Neurovascular Imaging Research Core and UCLA Stroke Centre, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Liebeskind
authors.affiliation: Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Galway Medical Technologies Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: MacCarthy
authors.affiliation: Neuravi Ltd, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilvarry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005337:Fibrin / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D020767:Intracranial Thrombosis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep; D020521:Stroke / Q000473:pathology*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005337:Fibrin
keywords: Stroke; Thrombectomy