Cardiovascular disease accounts for one third of deaths worldwide, of which over 75% are in low- and middle-income countries. Platelets and von Willebrand Factor play a central role in haemostasis and in cardiovascular diseases, being involved in both excess clotting that causes heart attacks and strokes, and excess bleeding. Herein, we outline a method for leveraging paper microfluidics with the aim of developing a WHO ASSURED criteria compliant point-of-care device for the diagnosis of von Willebrand Disease, as well as work to increase the understanding of mechanical force generation by platelets through Traction Force Microscopy.
