hemostasis recap

1. vascular spasms

This stage of hemostasis causes the blood vessel to narrow, which decreases blood loss until clotting can occur

2. Thrombolytics

Drugs sometimes referred to as “clot busters”

3. Hemostasis

Stoppage of bleeding

4. Prothrombin Activator

Enzyme that converts prothrombin to thrombin

5. Platelets

These are derived from megakaryocytes

6. Liver

Organ where the majority of clotting factors are synthesized

7. Plasmin

The enzyme that dissolves clots

8. Thrombus

A blood clot

9. Thrombocytopenia

An insufficient number of platelets in the blood

10. 3-6 min

Length of time for blood to clot

11. Fibrinolysis

The process that dissolves a blood clot

12. Fibrin threads

Protein strands that form the blood clot

13. Serotonin

Anchored platelets release this which causes the blood vessel to go into spasms

14. Coagulation process

The series of reactions that results in the formation of a blood clot

15. Heparin

Drug that prolongs the prothrombin time

16. Embolus

A traveling or moving blood clot

17. Thrombin

The enzyme that activates fibrinogen to fibrin

18. Vitamin K

The body needs this to produce prothrombin

19. Coumadin

An anticoagulant that removes thrombin from the clotting process

20. Fibrinogen

A soluble plasma protein that converts into insoluble fibrin

21. Platelet plug

The initial stage of the clotting process, involves thrombocytes becoming sticky and clinging to the damaged site