The process of blood clotting and then the subsequent dissolution of the clot, following repair of the injured tissue, is termed hemostasis. Hemostasis, composed of 4 major events that occur in a set order following the loss of vascular integrity:
1. The initial phase of the process is vascular constriction. This limits the flow of blood to the area of injury.
2. Next, platelets become activated by thrombin and aggregate at the site of injury, forming a temporary, loose platelet plug. The protein fibrinogen is primarily responsible for stimulating platelet clumping. Platelets clump by binding to collagen that becomes exposed following rupture of the endothelial lining of vessels. Upon activation, platelets release adenosine-5'-diphosphate, ADP and TXA2 (which activate additional platelets), serotonin, phospholipids, lipoproteins, and other proteins important for the coagulation cascade. In addition to induced secretion, activated platelets change their shape to accommodate the formation of the plug.
3. To insure stability of the initially loose platelet plug, a fibrin mesh (also called the clot) forms and entraps the plug. If the plug contains only platelets it is termed a white thrombus; if red blood cells are present it is called a red thrombus.
4. Finally, the clot must be dissolved in order for normal blood flow to resume following tissue repair. The dissolution of the clot occurs through the action of plasmin.
Two pathways lead to the formation of a fibrin clot: the intrinsic and extrinsic pathway. Although they are initiated by distinct mechanisms, the two converge on a common pathway that leads to clot formation. The formation of a red thrombus or a clot in response to an abnormal vessel wall in the absence of tissue injury is the result of the intrinsic pathway. Fibrin clot formation in response to tissue injury is the result of the extrinsic pathway. Both pathways are complex and involve numerous different proteins termed clotting factors.
2006-11-13 10:17:15
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answer #1
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answered by argeesoftware 3
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There are two major facets of the clotting mechanism – the platelets, and the thrombin system.
The platelets are tiny cellular elements, made in the bone marrow, that travel in the bloodstream waiting for a bleeding problem to develop. When bleeding occurs, chemical reactions change the surface of the platelet to make it “sticky.” Sticky platelets are said to have become “activated.” These activated platelets begin adhering to the wall of the blood vessel at the site of bleeding, and within a few minutes they form what is called a “white clot.” (A clump of platelets appears white to the naked eye.)
The thrombin system consists of several blood proteins that, when bleeding occurs, become activated. The activated clotting proteins engage in a cascade of chemical reactions that finally produce a substance called fibrin. Fibrin can be thought of as a long, sticky string. Fibrin strands stick to the exposed vessel wall, clumping together and forming a web-like complex of strands. Red blood cells become caught up in the web, and a “red clot” forms.
A mature blood clot consists of both platelets and fibrin strands. The strands of fibrin bind the platelets together, and “tighten” the clot to make it stable
2006-11-13 18:18:06
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answer #2
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answered by UNBAKED.PEGGA 2
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There are two major pathways for the clotting cascade, the intrinsic pathway (factors 12, 11, 9, and 8+von Willebrand's factor) and the extrinsic pathway (tissue factor and factor 7). Together these lead to the common pathway (factors 10, 5, 2, and fibrinogen). This pathway leads to fibrin formation, which acts as the glue for platelets to stick together and to a defect within a vessel wall. For a visual aid, check out this website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coagulation#The_coagulation_cascade
2006-11-13 20:57:07
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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if you want a detailed explanation, there is a huge cascade that involved something like 20 different clotting factors. if you want a simple explanation, basically you get cut, platelets become activated and stick together, and form a plug that stops the bleeding
2006-11-13 16:53:57
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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All I know is that plavix is the medicine for condition like this.
2006-11-15 23:04:25
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answer #5
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answered by Hiten 3
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