Blood clotting

Blood clotting" refers to the physiological process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a blood clot. This process is essential for stopping bleeding after vascular injury and involves an intricate cascade known as the coagulation cascade. The cascade includes both cellular components—primarily platelets—and numerous protein factors such as prothrombin, thrombin, fibrinogen, and fibrin[1][3][4]. The process can be divided into primary hemostasis (platelet plug formation) and secondary hemostasis (activation of the coagulation cascade leading to stable fibrin clot formation)[1][6]. Blood clotting is not itself a single molecular target but rather an integrated physiological event involving many distinct molecular targets—such as individual coagulation factors or platelet receptors—that are therapeutically targeted in various diseases[1][3]. Note: "Blood clotting" is not considered a specific therapeutic target like an enzyme or receptor; it describes an entire biological process involving multiple targets. For structured data purposes, this entry should be flagged as incorrect for use as a canonical drug target name. Instead, individual components such as "Thrombin," "Factor Xa," or "Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor" are appropriate molecular targets within this system[1][3][4].

Other names

Blood clottingCoagulationHemostasis

Inhibition of coagulation factors to prevent clot formation; Inhibition of platelet aggregation to reduce primary hemostasis; Promotion of fibrinolysis to dissolve existing clots