hämostatiska

Hemostasis, also known as hæmostasis, is a physiological process that stops bleeding at the site of an injury by forming a blood clot. It involves a complex cascade of events involving blood vessels, platelets, and plasma proteins. The primary goal of hemostasis is to prevent excessive blood loss while maintaining blood flow throughout the circulatory system.

The process begins with vasoconstriction, where the damaged blood vessel narrows to reduce blood flow. This is followed by primary hemostasis, where platelets adhere to the injured site and aggregate, forming a temporary platelet plug.

Secondary hemostasis involves the coagulation cascade, a series of enzymatic reactions that ultimately lead to the formation of fibrin. Fibrin is a protein that reinforces the platelet plug, creating a stable blood clot. This clot seals the injured vessel and allows for tissue repair.

Once the tissue has healed, a process called fibrinolysis breaks down the clot, restoring normal blood flow. Disruptions in hemostasis can lead to either excessive bleeding (hemorrhage) or inappropriate clot formation (thrombosis). Various medical conditions and treatments can affect hemostasis, requiring careful management to ensure patient safety. For example, anticoagulants are used to prevent unwanted clot formation, while blood transfusions may be necessary to replace lost blood.