Anticlotting mechanisms 1: Physiology and pathology

Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain

Volumn 13, Issue 3, 2013, Pages 87-92

  Ezihe Ejiofor, J Adanma ^a   Hutchinson, Nevil ^b  

^a Worthing Hospital   (United Kingdom)

^b ROYAL SUSSEX COUNTY HOSPITAL   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Anticlotting mechanisms are important in restricting clot formation to the site of injury. The two major systems are the anticoagulant and fibrinolytic systems; Diseases of the anticoagulant system may be inherited or acquired and predispose to thromboembolic events; Inherited disorders of the fibrinolytic system are very rare. The clinician is more likely to encounter acquired hyperfibrinolysis that can cause severe haemorrhage; Plasmin is the major enzyme of the fibrinolytic system and will 'dissolve' already formed clots by degrading fibrin; The anticoagulant system comprises four enzyme pathways whose function is to reduce thrombin production, limit its activity, or both

Indexed keywords

EID: 84883037355     PISSN: 17431816     EISSN: 17431824     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1093/bjaceaccp/mks061     Document Type: Article

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