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Coagulation
| Coagulation | |
|---|---|
 Blood coagulation pathways in vivo showing the central role played by thrombin | |
| Health | Beneficial |
Coagulation, also known as clotting, is the process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a blood clot. It results in hemostasis, the cessation of blood loss from a damaged vessel, followed by repair. The process of coagulation involves activation, adhesion and aggregation of platelets, as well as deposition and maturation of fibrin.
Coagulation begins almost instantly after an injury to the endothelium that lines a blood vessel. Exposure of blood to the subendothelial space initiates two processes: changes in platelets, and the exposure of subendothelial platelet tissue factor to coagulation factor VII, which ultimately leads to cross-linked fibrin formation. Platelets immediately form a plug at the site of injury; this is called primary hemostasis. Secondary hemostasis occurs simultaneously: additional coagulation factors beyond factor VII (listed below) respond in a cascade to form fibrin strands, which strengthen the platelet plug.[1]
Coagulation is highly conserved throughout biology. In all mammals, coagulation involves both cellular components (platelets) and proteinaceous components (coagulation or clotting factors).[2][3] The pathway in humans has been the most extensively researched and is the best understood.[4] Disorders of coagulation can result in problems with hemorrhage, bruising, or thrombosis.[5]
- ^ Furie, Barbara C.; Furie, Bruce (December 2005). "Thrombus formation in vivo". The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 115 (12): 3355–62. doi:10.1172/JCI26987. PMC 1297262. PMID 16322780.
- ^ Platelets. 2007. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-369367-9.X5760-7. ISBN 978-0-12-369367-9.[page needed]
- ^ "Coagulation Factor Tests". MedlinePlus Medical Test. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Schmaier, Alvin H.; Lazarus, Hillard M. (2011). Concise guide to hematology. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. p. 91. ISBN 978-1-4051-9666-6. OCLC 779160978.
- ^ Lillicrap, D.; Key, Nigel; Makris, Michael; Denise, O'Shaughnessy (2009). Practical Hemostasis and Thrombosis. Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 1–5. ISBN 978-1-4051-8460-1.
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