RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Novel methodology to replicate clot analogs with diverse composition in acute ischemic stroke JF Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery JO J NeuroIntervent Surg FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. SP neurintsurg-2016-012308 DO 10.1136/neurintsurg-2016-012308 A1 Sharon Duffy A1 Michael Farrell A1 Kevin McArdle A1 John Thornton A1 David Vale A1 Eleanor Rainsford A1 Liam Morris A1 David S Liebeskind A1 Eugene MacCarthy A1 Michael Gilvarry YR 2016 UL http://jnis.bmj.com/content/early/2016/04/28/neurintsurg-2016-012308.abstract AB 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.Method 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.