An overview of hemostasis

Abstract

Hemostasis is the physiological process that helps to maintain blood in the fluid state and prevent the escape of blood from damaged blooc vessels through clot formation. Many coagulation proteins are involved in reactions that precipitate the hemostatic process. Deficiencies in any of the coagulation proteins may lead to bleeding. Laboratory tests can monitor the hemostatic status of individuals including the prothrombin time, which monitors the extrinsic pathways and the activated partial thromboplastin time, which monitors the intrinsic pathways.