Primary haemostasis and its assessment by laboratory tests

SummaryPlatelets constantly patrol the inner surface of blood vessels searching leaks to be sealed, in order to prevent blood loss. When they detect a vessel injury their action can be divided into three phases. Adhesion: The platelets adhere to the injured blood vessel wall via their receptors glycoprotein (GP) Ib and integrin α2bβ3 (GPIIb/IIIa) mediated by the ligands von Willebrand factor (VWF), fibrinogen and others. Aggregation: Platelets stick to each other through fibrinogen bridging integrin α2bβ3 (GPIIb/IIIa) on adjacent platelets. Secretion: During activation the content of platelet granules is release…