Coagulation is a function of the
blood and blood vessels.
Function
- When there is damage to vascular endothelium, the body must rapidly support the vulnerable structure and promote wound healing. Coagulation is initiated at sites of damage, to form a solid 'clot' which prevents leakage of blood.
- The viscosity of the blood is modified by coagulation (clotting) and anti-coagulation (clot-breaking) processes. These opposing processes occur continously, and the balance is adjusted at any point of abnormality in the vasculature. This is an example of dynamic equilibrium.
- With too much anti-coagulation, the body haemorrhages (bleeds) too easily.
- With too much coagulation, the vessels of the body become obstructed. This leads to ischaemia and tissue necrosis.
Components
There are three primary components of the coagulation system:
- Coagulation cascade (protein factors)
- Platelets
- Vascular endothelium
Pathophysiology
- Blood coagulation disorders
- blood coagulation disorders, Inherited
- Blood platelet disorders
- Coagulation protein disorders
- Haemostatic disorders
- Haemorrhagic disorders
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