Procoagulant Forces (Hemostasis)

The procoagulant forces include platelet adhesion and aggregation and fibrin clot formation; anticoagulant forces include the natural inhibitors of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Under normal circumstances, hemostasis is regulated to promote blood flow; however, it is also prepared to clot blood rapidly to arrest blood flow and prevent exsanguination. After bleeding is successfully halted, the system remodels the damaged vessel to restore normal blood flow.1

Reference

1. Konkle BA. Bleeding and Thrombosis. In: Loscalzo J, Fauci A, Kasper D, Hauser S, Longo D, Jameson J. eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21e. McGraw-Hill Education; 2022. Accessed October 18, 2024. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=3095&sectionid=262792022

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Hemostasis is the process of blood clot formation at the site of vessel injury.

Blood Vessel Constriction

Formation of Platelet Plug

Coagulation Cascade

Clot Retratction and Fibrinolysis

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2. Platelet plug formation
Exposed collagen at the injury site causes platelets to adhere and become activated[3]. The activated platelets release chemicals that attract more platelets, forming a platelet plug that temporarily seals the wound[1][5].

 

4. Clot retraction and fibrinolysis
In the final stage, the clot retracts and is gradually dissolved as the damaged tissue heals[3]. Plasmin, activated by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), breaks down the fibrin clot in a process called fibrinolysis[3].

These steps work together to quickly stop bleeding, prevent infection, and allow for tissue repair following an injury to a blood vessel[1][3][5].

Citations:
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21999-hemostasis
[2] https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-ap2/chapter/hemostasis/
[3] https://books.byui.edu/bio_381_pathophysiol/312__the_stages_of_h
[4] https://truerescue.com/blogs/knowledge/steps-of-hemostasis
[5] https://pressbooks-dev.oer.hawaii.edu/anatomyandphysiology/chapter/hemostasis/

 

Blood Vessel Constriction

Formation of Platelet Plug

 

 

10. Fibrinolysis

 

Blood

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