Fibrinogen

Abstract

Fibrinogen is converted by thrombin to form fibrin which makes up the structure of the hemostatic clot. Fibrinogen is the most abundant plasma clotting factor, yet it is also among the most labile. After trauma, hemodilution, hypothermia, and acidosis, in addition to enzymatic consumption and degradation, can contribute to rapid fibrinogen depletion and dysfunction. Thus, fibrinogen has emerged as a key driver of trauma-induced coagulopathy and an important therapeutic target during trauma resuscitation. This chapter reviews fibrinogen's structure and various functions, along with its important role in the pathophysiology of trauma-induced coagulopathy.