The success of cardiovascular devices is hindered by non-physiological flow conditions and surface materials, which can trigger platelet activation and lead to thrombus formation with severe consequences for patients. While anticoagulation treatments help prevent thrombus formation, they can compromise hemostasis and thereby increase the risk of bleeding. In this study, physical surface modifications through specific micropatterning, cones, riblets, grids, and hemispheres were investigated as a non-pharmacological strategy to reduce platelet adhesion on blood-contacting devices. Fabrication methods based on two-photon polymerization (2PP) 3D printing combined with nanoimprinting lithography were employed to achieve high micro-scale resolution. Platelet adhesion was investigated under low-WSS conditions, and adhering platelets were reduced by 45%, 29%, 25%, and 41%, respectively, for cones, riblets, grids, and hemispheres compared to the flat reference control. Our findings demonstrate that surface micropatterning at the blood–material interface represents a promising approach to modulate thrombus formation risk in cardiovascular devices. • Micropatterned surfaces reduce platelet adhesion on blood-contacting surfaces. • Cone and hemisphere geometries show the highest antithrombogenic potential. • Two-photon polymerization with nanoimprinting enables precise micropattern fabrication. • Superhydrophobicity, surface topography, and local wall shear stress correlate with lower platelet adhesion. • Findings support the development of safer blood-contacting devices with reduced thrombosis and bleeding risks.
Bonora et al. (Wed,) studied this question.