Haemostasis

The haemostatic system consists of a complex array of processes that maintains blood flow under physiological conditions, but yet is equipped to immediately respond to tissue injury. Haemostasis involves an explosive reaction, designed to curtail blood loss, restore vascular integrity and ultimately preserve life. The rapid transformation of blood from its fluid state into a localized thrombus at the site of tissue damage is controlled by an intricate interplay of four key components - the vascular endothelium, platelets, the coagulation pathway and fibrinolysis. Disruption of this tightly regulated haemostatic process can result in pathological thrombosis or haemorrhage, both a frequent complication of surgery, trauma and illness.