Véralvadási

Véralvadási, also known as blood coagulation or hemostasis, is a critical process that prevents excessive bleeding following injury to a blood vessel. It involves a complex cascade of events where platelets and plasma proteins, known as clotting factors, work together to form a stable blood clot. This clot effectively seals the damaged vessel, stopping blood loss.

The process begins with primary hemostasis, where platelets adhere to the site of injury and aggregate to form a temporary plug. This is followed by secondary hemostasis, a more robust mechanism involving the coagulation cascade. This cascade is a series of enzymatic reactions that ultimately lead to the conversion of a soluble protein, fibrinogen, into insoluble fibrin. Fibrin strands then reinforce the platelet plug, creating a strong and durable clot.

Véralvadási is a finely tuned process. If it is too slow, excessive bleeding can occur, which can be life-threatening. Conversely, if it is too rapid or forms inappropriately, it can lead to dangerous blood clots within blood vessels, causing conditions like deep vein thrombosis or stroke. Various medical conditions, such as hemophilia (a deficiency in clotting factors) or thrombophilia (an increased tendency to clot), highlight the importance of balanced véralvadási. Anticoagulant medications are often used to manage conditions where the blood clots too readily.