Performance Evaluation of a New Microfluidic Platelet Function Test Platform

Abstract

To evaluate the performance of a microfluidic platelet function test platform (MPFTP) previously established by our research group. The effects of flow shear rate and storage time on platelet function test were analyzed taking the MPFTP as the object. The intra-assay variability of the MPFTP was evaluated. The function of platelet in peripheral venous blood from 24 healthy volunteers was assessed using the MPFTP and light transmission turbidity, either in the presence of 20 μmol/L acetylsalicylic acid (AS, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 1) or 50 μmol/L 5-phospho-2-methylthioadenosine (2-MeSAMP, a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor). The diagnostic performance of both methods in assaying platelet function inhibition by AS and 2-MeSAMP was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Under the flow shear rate of 1 500 s-1, our MPFTP could dynamically monitor platelet adhesion and aggregation, as well as quantify platelet function. Platelet aggregation increased with the increase of flow shear rate, while sample storage at room temperature for up to 5 h did not affect results of platelet function test. The intra-assay variability coefficient of variation of the MPFTP was <15%. The area under the curve of ROC showed that this platform had good diagnostic performance in the identification of platelet function inhibition by AS and 2-MeSAMP. This MPFTP shows good analytical performance for the assay of platelet function and can be developed into a new clinical platelet function test device in the future.