Coagulation system

The coagulation system is a highly regulated biological cascade of plasma proteins that facilitates the formation of blood clots to maintain vascular integrity and prevent hemorrhage after injury (StatPearls, 2023 [1]). This system operates through a series of zymogen activations, primarily involving serine proteases, organized into the intrinsic, extrinsic, and common pathways (NIH, 2022 [2]). The ultimate goal of the cascade is the generation of thrombin, which converts soluble fibrinogen into a stable fibrin meshwork (Wikipedia, 2024 [3]). Pathological overactivation of the system leads to thromboembolic diseases such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, while deficiencies in specific factors result in bleeding disorders like hemophilia (Merck Manual, 2023 [4]). Therapeutic management involves a wide range of anticoagulants that target specific components of the cascade to prevent or treat thrombotic events (PubMed, 2021 [5]).

Other names

Coagulation cascadeBlood clotting cascadeHemostatic systemClotting system

Inhibition of specific clotting factors (e.g., Factor Xa, Thrombin), antagonism of vitamin K-dependent factor synthesis, and enhancement of natural anticoagulant proteins like antithrombin III (StatPearls, 2023 [1]; NIH, 2022 [2]).