Hemostasis

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Now you have a clot, so what?

The clot blocks bleeding and holds the sides of the wound together.

The platelets in the clot secrete growth factors, causing the tissue cells to divide and migrate into the wound. Soon, the wound is filled with new tissue.

Now it's time to get rid of the clot by breaking down the fibrin.

The protein that does this is called PLASMIN, and it also is circulating in the blood in an inactive form, PLASMINOGEN. It is activated by TISSUE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR from the liver, kidneys, and vascular endothelium.

to clear the clot out of his cerebral artery

to stop the bleeding from his cerebral artery

to prevent him from developing venous thrombi while on bed rest

 
A man had a stroke, and the doctor gave him tissue plasminogen activator immediately. Why?