The process of hemostasis protects and maintains the balance between blood loss and thrombotic events.
The major contributors to the hemostasis process are platelets, von Willebrand factor, and coagulation factors. Platelet dysfunction, von Willebrand disease, hemophilia, and anticoagulant therapy are the most common causes of excessive bleeding, while other disorders are associated with the risk of thrombosis. The balance between bleeding and thrombosis is ensured by a complex cascade in which many different processes interact.
Navigate through our interactive cascades to learn more about how hemostatic processes play a role in protecting the body from excessive or insufficient clotting and the role pharmaceutical therapies can play in regulating hemostatic balance.
- Primary Hemostasis Cascade—View the interactions between collagen, platelets, von Willebrand factor, and fibrinogen as they work together to form a platelet clot and prevent further blood loss following injury.
- Full Hemostasis Cascade—View the complex process through which primary hemostasis, coagulation, and fibrinolysis work together to protect and maintain the balance between blood loss and thrombotic events.
- Anticoagulant Cascade—View the process of anticoagulation involving either traditional or novel anticoagulant substances , including interactions with unfractionated heparin, vitamin K inhibitors, and direct oral anticoagulants.
- Thrombin Generation Cascade—View the process of clot formation and learn about the fundamental role that thrombin plays in driving and regulating clotting activity.
- Thrombophilia Cascade—View the processes involved in thrombophilia, a condition that leads to unwanted clot development, and how the activity of therapeutic agents can counteract its effects.