LESSON 1.1 - (GEN-TECH 3) SPECIMEN COLLECTION & PROCESSING FOR HEMOSTASIS TESTING

Hemostasis

From the Greek word “the stoppage of blood flow” or “the arrest of bleeding”

Hemostasis

a complex interaction between blood vessels, platelets, biochemical reactants, and factors in the plasma

Vasoconstriction

allows platelet contact activation and reduces blood flow to the injury site.

Hemostatic Plug

Platelets adhere to the injured surface and aggregate to form a basic hemostatic plug.

Coagulation

initiated via the intrinsic system through the activating effect of plasma factor XII reacting with the exposed collagen and elastin

Fibrinogen

A soluble plasma glycoprotein that is converted into fibrin during blood coagulation.

Prothrombin

A protein that is converted into active thrombin during coagulation.

Calcium

An essential mineral involved in the coagulation process, acting as a cofactor for various coagulation factors.

Vitamin K Dependent Factors

Factors II, VII, IX, and X, which require vitamin K for their synthesis.

Anticoagulant

A substance that prevents blood coagulation, such as heparin or citrated plasma.

Platelet Activation

A process triggered by platelet adhesion to the site of injury, leading to platelet aggregation and the release of substances aiding coagulation.

Centrifugation

A process that uses centrifugal force to separate components of blood, like plasma and platelets.

Prothrombin Time

A test that measures how long it takes for blood to clot, often used to monitor patients on anticoagulants.

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT)

A test to assess the integrity of the intrinsic and common coagulation pathway.

Hemolysis

The destruction of red blood cells which can interfere with blood test results.

Primary Hemostatic Plug

The initial aggregation of platelets at a site of vascular injury, serving as a temporary plug.

Tissue Factor

A protein that initiates the extrinsic clotting pathway upon blood vessel injury.

Thromboplastin

A tissue-derived factor that plays a role in coagulation, activating the extrinsic pathway.

Heparin

An anticoagulant that prevents blood clotting by inhibiting thrombin and factors involved in coagulation.

Fibrin Clot

A stable structure formed from fibrin strands that serves to seal a blood vessel and stop bleeding.