Fibrinolyysiä

Fibrinolyysiä is the Finnish term for fibrinolysis, a crucial physiological process in the body. It is the mechanism by which the body dissolves blood clots. When a blood vessel is injured, a clot forms to stop bleeding, a process called coagulation. However, once the bleeding is controlled and the tissue is healing, the clot needs to be removed to restore normal blood flow. Fibrinolysis is responsible for this clot dissolution.

The key player in fibrinolysis is plasmin, an enzyme that breaks down fibrin, the protein that forms the meshwork of a blood clot. Plasmin is generated from its inactive precursor, plasminogen. Plasminogen is converted into plasmin by activators, most notably tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). tPA is released from the walls of blood vessels and its activity is regulated by inhibitors like plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1).

The process is carefully controlled to prevent excessive bleeding or unwanted clot formation. Disruptions in fibrinolysis can lead to various medical conditions. For instance, insufficient fibrinolysis can contribute to thrombosis, where clots form inappropriately and block blood vessels, potentially causing heart attacks or strokes. Conversely, excessive fibrinolysis can lead to bleeding disorders. Therapeutic agents that enhance fibrinolysis, like tPA, are used to treat acute ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction by dissolving the clots causing the blockage.