Blood clotting: Difference between revisions
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[[Blood|Blood]] is fluid in nature and is essential for the transport of nutrients including [[Oxygen|oxygen]] round the body through the circulatory system by the aid of the heart and blood vessels. The rupture of these blood vessels can be catastrophic and the body naturally solves this by the process of Hemostasis. Hemostasis helps prevent blood loss by three main stages namely<ref>Silverton D. (2010)Human Physiology; An Integrated Approach, 5th Edition, San Francisco; Pearson Education, Inc.</ref>: | |||
#Vasoconstriction | |||
#Platelet Aggregation | |||
#Coagulation | |||
=== Vasoconstiction === | |||
The [[Blood pressure|blood pressure]] in the damaged blood vessel decreases when [[Vasoconstrictive paracrines|vasoconstrictive paracrines]] released by the [[Endothelium|endothelium]] causes the constriction of the damaged blood vessel | |||
=== Platelet Aggregation === | |||
< | Normally, the endothelium of blood vessels shield the circulating blood from the [[Collagen|collagen]] matrix but when the vessel is damaged, the [[Collagen matrix|collagen matrix]] is exposed. This results in the interaction of [[Platelets|platelet]] with the exposed collagen. The adhesion of a platelet with collagen initiates a positive feedback mechanism where signalling molecules released by activated platelet recruit other platelet molecules promoting platelet aggregation that forms a loose platelet plug in the hole<ref>Baron, W.F. and Boulpaep, E.L.,(2009) Medical Physiology: A Cellular and Molecular Approach,2nd Edition, Philadelphia; SAUNDERS ELSEVIER</ref>. | ||
During day-to-day life platelet aggregation could be very harmful and therefore the epithelial cells of our blood vessels (the Tunica intima) produces a protein called [[Prostacyclin|prostacyclin]] which prevents undesired platelet aggregation. | |||
=== Coagulation === | |||
Coagulation is the process where blood looses its fluidity externally while still maintaining constant flow in the blood vessels. A series of steps leading to the formation of [[Fibrin|fibrin]] protein fibre involving different clotting factors. There are about thirteen known clotting factors: | |||
*[[Fibrinogen|Fibrinogen]] (Factor 1) | |||
*[[Prothrombin|Prothrombin]] (Factor 2) | |||
*[[Thromboplastin|Thromboplastin]] (Factor 3) | |||
*[[Calcium|Calcium]] (Factor 4) | |||
*[[Proaccelerin|Proaccelerin]] or Labile Factor (Factor 5) | |||
*[[Stable Factor - Blood|Stable Factor]] (Factor 6) | |||
*[[Antihemophilic Factor|Antihemophilic Factor]] (Factor 8) | |||
*[[Christmas Factor|Christmas Factor]] (Factor 9) | |||
*[[Stuart - Power Factor|Stuart - Power Factor]] (Factor 10) | |||
*[[Plasma Thrombin antecedent|Plasma Thrombin antecedent]] (Factor 11) | |||
*[[Hegman Factor|Hegman Factor]] (Factor 12) | |||
*[[Fibrin Stabilising Factor|Fibrin Stabilising Factor]] (Factor 13) . | |||
These factors interact together to bring about coagulation cascade. These clotting factors are in an inactive state and must be activated to bring about blood clotting. Generally, the three stages involved in clotting formation are: formation of prothrombin activator, conversion of prothrombin into thrombin and finally thrombin is converted to fibrin<ref>SEMBULINGAN K. AND SEMBULINGAN P.,(2003), ESSENTIALS OF MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY 4th EDITION. NEW DELHI: JAYPEE BROTHERS MEDICAL PUBLISHERS.</ref>. | |||
It is this fibrin produced that stabilizes the platelet plug which is called 'clot'. | |||
Upon repair of the vessel, the clot is eliminated and digested by an enzyme called plasmin. | Upon repair of the vessel, the clot is eliminated and digested by an enzyme called plasmin. | ||
It is very important that the body regulates hemostasis properly as it can lead to thrombosis | It is very important that the body regulates hemostasis properly as it can lead to thrombosis wherein excess and haemorrhage where there is little hemostasis. | ||
=== References === | === References === | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Latest revision as of 09:52, 6 December 2017
Blood is fluid in nature and is essential for the transport of nutrients including oxygen round the body through the circulatory system by the aid of the heart and blood vessels. The rupture of these blood vessels can be catastrophic and the body naturally solves this by the process of Hemostasis. Hemostasis helps prevent blood loss by three main stages namely[1]:
- Vasoconstriction
- Platelet Aggregation
- Coagulation
Vasoconstiction
The blood pressure in the damaged blood vessel decreases when vasoconstrictive paracrines released by the endothelium causes the constriction of the damaged blood vessel
Platelet Aggregation
Normally, the endothelium of blood vessels shield the circulating blood from the collagen matrix but when the vessel is damaged, the collagen matrix is exposed. This results in the interaction of platelet with the exposed collagen. The adhesion of a platelet with collagen initiates a positive feedback mechanism where signalling molecules released by activated platelet recruit other platelet molecules promoting platelet aggregation that forms a loose platelet plug in the hole[2].
During day-to-day life platelet aggregation could be very harmful and therefore the epithelial cells of our blood vessels (the Tunica intima) produces a protein called prostacyclin which prevents undesired platelet aggregation.
Coagulation
Coagulation is the process where blood looses its fluidity externally while still maintaining constant flow in the blood vessels. A series of steps leading to the formation of fibrin protein fibre involving different clotting factors. There are about thirteen known clotting factors:
- Fibrinogen (Factor 1)
- Prothrombin (Factor 2)
- Thromboplastin (Factor 3)
- Calcium (Factor 4)
- Proaccelerin or Labile Factor (Factor 5)
- Stable Factor (Factor 6)
- Antihemophilic Factor (Factor 8)
- Christmas Factor (Factor 9)
- Stuart - Power Factor (Factor 10)
- Plasma Thrombin antecedent (Factor 11)
- Hegman Factor (Factor 12)
- Fibrin Stabilising Factor (Factor 13) .
These factors interact together to bring about coagulation cascade. These clotting factors are in an inactive state and must be activated to bring about blood clotting. Generally, the three stages involved in clotting formation are: formation of prothrombin activator, conversion of prothrombin into thrombin and finally thrombin is converted to fibrin[3].
It is this fibrin produced that stabilizes the platelet plug which is called 'clot'.
Upon repair of the vessel, the clot is eliminated and digested by an enzyme called plasmin.
It is very important that the body regulates hemostasis properly as it can lead to thrombosis wherein excess and haemorrhage where there is little hemostasis.
References
- ↑ Silverton D. (2010)Human Physiology; An Integrated Approach, 5th Edition, San Francisco; Pearson Education, Inc.
- ↑ Baron, W.F. and Boulpaep, E.L.,(2009) Medical Physiology: A Cellular and Molecular Approach,2nd Edition, Philadelphia; SAUNDERS ELSEVIER
- ↑ SEMBULINGAN K. AND SEMBULINGAN P.,(2003), ESSENTIALS OF MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY 4th EDITION. NEW DELHI: JAYPEE BROTHERS MEDICAL PUBLISHERS.