ABSTRACT

Role of thrombin in arterial thrombosis Thrombin (factor IIa) is a serine protease that is activated at the final step of the blood coagulation cascade and converts fibrinogen to fibrin. Thrombin has multiple roles – it is the most potent known platelet agonist, it is primarily responsible for thrombus propagation through the soluble clotting cascade, and it is also responsible for both positive and negative feedback within the coagulation cascade.