By Clément Naudin
Researcher at TREC
Coagulation is essential to prevent blood loss at sites of vascular injury and to maintain the integrity of the circulatory system (haemostasis). However, uncontrolled coagulation may contribute to vascular occlusions with obstruction of blood flow, resulting in tissue damage. This is thrombosis. Thrombosis may occur in the veins leading to venous thromboembolism. In the western world, thromboembolic diseases remain the primary cause of morbidity and mortality. A thrombus is constituted of activated platelets, leukocytes and fibrin fibers.