Hemostasis Flashcards
What are the 3 major components of the hemostatic system?
- Blood Vessel Wall
- Platelets
- Coagulation and Fibrinolytic Systems
Normal Hemostasis
Normal hemostasis is the complex process by which ruptured vessels undergo changes which prevent blood loss.
Abnormal Hemostasis
Abnormal hemostasis, thrombosis, is the process by which blood forms a clot within intact blood vessels (vessels which have not ruptured).
Abnormal hemostasis is a pathologic process that represents the activation of the clotting system when there are no ruptured vessels.
What is the purpose of hemostasis in injury?
Prevent excessive blood loss
What are the steps of the hemostatic response?
- Vasoconstriction
- Primary Hemostasis
- Secondary Hemostasis
- Formation of platelet-thrombin plug
What is the role of vasoconstriction in hemostasis?
It occurs immediately and briefly through reflex neurogenic mechanisms and may mediate humoral factors released from endothelium such as endothelin and serves to reduce blood loss.
Primary Hemostasis
The injury damages endothelial cells and exposes subendothelial collagen. Platelets quickly adhere to the collagen and become activated.
The platelets change in shape and release chemicals such as ADP, thromboxane A2 and serotonin which recruit additional platelets to the site of injury and promote aggregates to form, resulting in a hemostatic plug.
Secondary Hemostasis
Tissue factor is released at the site of injury from the endothelial cells which combine with platelet factors to initiate the plasma coagulation cascade ultimately forming thrombin.
The coagulation proteins form complexes on the platelet surface utilizing the phospholipids of the platelet membrane.
What is the function of thrombin?
Converts fibrinogen into fibrin
Thrombus
Blood clot
Embolus
Detached blood clot traveling through the blood vessels and it can lodge in certain organs and cause ischemia
What are the two pathways in the role of the endothelium?
- Antithrombotic effect (normal state).
2. Prothrombotic effect (response to injured endothelium).
What are parts of the antithrombotic effect of the endothelium?
Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant and Fibrinolytic
Antiplatelet Effect
Intact endothelium prevents platelets and coagulation proteins from coming into contact with subendothelial collagen. Normal endothelial cells secrete prostacyclin and nitric oxide that prevent platelet aggregation.
Anticoagulant Effect
Antithrombin inhibits thrombin formation and thrombomodulin binds thrombin to activate protein C as an anticoagulant.
Fibrinolytic Effect
The endothelium also secretes plasminogen activators (tPA) which promote fibrinolysis. Plasminogen is converted to plasmin and dissolves the clot.
What is the mechanism of the prothrombic effect of the endothelium?
As injury occurs, it will secrete von Willebrand factor, a protein, which forms a molecular bridge between platelets and sub endothelial collagen. It also synthesizes and secretes tissue factor, which activates the extrinsic sequence of the coagulation cascade.
What is the function of tissue factor?
It promotes the generation of thrombin and formation of a clot.
Platelets
Platelets are discoid, anuclear cells which play a major role in hemostasis.
How do platelets attach to sub endothelial proteins?
Via vWF
How do platelets inter-adhere?
Via fibrinogen