Blutplättchenersatzstoffen

Blutplättchen, also known as platelets or thrombocytes, are tiny, anucleated cell fragments found in blood. They are crucial components of the hemostatic system, playing a vital role in stopping bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. In healthy individuals, platelets circulate in the bloodstream in a resting state. Upon detection of vascular damage, they undergo a rapid activation process. This activation triggers several key events. Firstly, platelets change shape, becoming more spherical and extending pseudopods, which helps them adhere to the site of injury. Secondly, they aggregate with each other, forming a platelet plug that serves as an initial barrier to blood loss. Thirdly, activated platelets release a variety of substances stored in their granules, including growth factors, clotting factors, and vasoconstrictors, which further promote hemostasis and aid in wound healing. The formation of a stable clot involves a complex cascade of enzymatic reactions, where platelets interact with fibrinogen and other plasma proteins to create a fibrin mesh that reinforces the platelet plug. Disorders affecting platelet count or function can lead to either excessive bleeding (thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction) or an increased risk of blood clots (thrombocytosis or hypercoagulability). Their formation, known as thrombopoiesis, occurs in the bone marrow from large precursor cells called megakaryocytes.