Fibrin clot Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Fibrin clot and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Which changes Fibrinogen into Fibrin Monomer: | View Page |
| Primary Hemostasis – Characteristics of the Platelet Platelets play a significant role in primary hemostasis, as they are the “bricks”, or building blocks of the developing platelet plug, the forerunner to the end stage fibrin clot. Platelets have inherent adhesive properties which are essential for adherence to the site of vascular damage, and for binding to one another in aggregation activities. Platelets must be present in sufficient number, and be functionally active for optimal clotting to occur. Platelet functionality tends to be more crucial than the number of platelets available, however, as patients with lower platelet counts can still clot relatively effectively as compared to those patients with intrinsic platelet defects. | View Page |
| Primary Hemostasis – Platelet Function Platelets have three primary functions: Maintenance of Vascular Integrity – Platelets contain chemicals within their granules that are vital to the normal growth and maintenance of the vascular system. Platelet Plug Formation – Platelets are the fundamental components of the physical barrier that initially fills the breach in the compromised vessel. Stabilization of the Platelet Plug – Inherent platelet stickiness acts as a strong bond between the platelet and the exposed subendothelium, as well as between platelets themselves. Fibrin strands will weave in amongst the bound platelets that make up the platelet plug, further compressing and solidifying the structure and creating a fibrin clot. | View Page |
| Primary Hemostasis – Platelet Kinetics Kinetic Processes Specific to Platelets. Adhesion – When platelets adhere to exposed collagen, they take on a characteristic “spiny” shape. Their inherent stickiness, and the aforementioned spiny shape serve to compliment each other during this process. Von Willebrands Factor (vWF) is absorbed by surface receptors on both the platelet and exposed subendothelial tissue, thereby linking the platelets to the tissue. Release – This process occurs prior to aggregation. Platelets dump the contents of their granules (ADP, Serotonin, & Calcium), which aids the upcoming aggregation process by acting as a chemical signal. Aggregation – Platelets physically bind to each other, not just to the exposed subendothelial walls and collagen of the breached vessel. Platelet aggregation requires sufficient chemical signal stimulation. Stabilization (technically part of secondary hemostasis as fibrin is a product of secondary hemostasis)– This process strengthens the platelet plug with the addition of interwoven fibrin strands, ultimately producing a fibrin clot. The durable fibrin clot is the ultimate goal of hemostatic processes. | View Page |
| Overview of Secondary Hemostasis Secondary hemostasis is the series of interrelated chemical processes which lead to the formation of durable fibrin strands, as well as being involved in their incorporation into the existing platelet plug, creating a fibrin clot. The fibrin strands themselves are manufactured through the interaction of various coagulation factors, via a process known as the coagulation cascade. After strand construction, these fibrin monomers are woven into the framework of the platelet plug, adding greater strength and stability. Once woven into the platelet plug, and further stabilized with covalent cross-linking, a fibrin clot (the end goal of secondary hemostasis) is achieved. The fibrin clot is more durable than the platelet plug, and is more of a long term fix, allowing time for continued vascular repair. | View Page |
| The ultimate goal of secondary hemostasis is: | View Page |
| The Fibrinolytic System There is a very close relationship between the formation of fibrin, and its eventual degradation, or lysis. A fibrin clot serves as a temporary seal, intended to prevent continued blood loss from the damaged vessel while repair activities are performed. The breakdown of the clot begins almost as soon as the clot is formed! The process by which fibrin is broken down and removed from the clot, ultimately leading to complete dissolution of the clot, is called fibrinolysis. | View Page |
| Platelet Function Platelets function both mechanically and biochemically in the process of hemostasis. When injury to a blood vessel occurs, platelets aggregate forming a plug which helps to stop the flow of blood. They release certain substances, among them serotonin and Platelet Factor 3. Serotonin causes the blood vessels in the area to constrict, thereby further stopping the flow of blood. Platelet Factor 3 catalyzes the coagulation reaction whereby a fibrin clot is formed, completing the seal. Platelets also maintain the integrity (leak-free) state of blood vessels.
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