Mechanisms of hemostasis

Hemostasis is an elegant process that balances the opposing forces of coagulation and anticoagulation. The hemostatic system protects the vasculature from uncontrolled bleeding on the one hand and excessive clotting on the other. This complex physiologic process involves interactions between blood vessels, platelets, and coagulation proteins that build and then break down the stable clot made up of blood cells and a fibrin mesh. Hemostasis plays an important role in our day-to-day lives to prevent blood loss from the numerous times our blood vessel walls are damaged; additionally, it is crucial to prevent hemorrhage and massive blood loss during surgery.