Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 12.10
The coagulation cascade involving the intrinsic, extrinsic and common pathways
leading to the formation of fibrin
The plasma proteins involved in contact activation have been identified by study-
ing the reaction in rare individuals with specific protein deficiencies. Figure
12.10
shows all the above cascading reactions in summary.
12.5
Anticoagulants
As the name implies, anticoagulants are chemical substances that, when present at
a particular concentration in blood about to be coagulated either via the extrinsic or
the intrinsic pathway, interfere with the coagulation process so that no clot is formed
and the blood continues to be in the fluid state. In this way, thrombus formation
is hindered, the risk of thromboembolism is minimized; however, the patient on
