ABSTRACT
The human hemostatic system has evolved as an exquisitely orchestrated mechanism to preserve blood fluidity throughout the circulation under normal circumstances. At the same time, it is capable of responding instantaneously to injury to form a protective hemostatic plug that is precisely localized and limited to the site of vascular damage. Hemostasis involves the balance and dynamic interplay between three major components: (i) the vessel wall, (ii) blood platelets, and (iii) the coagulation proteins (i.e., clotting and fibrinolytic factors).
