Overview of Hemostasis and Thrombosis

Hemostasis is the balance that maintains the fluid state of blood while preventing bleeding in response to vessel injury. This dynamic process involves the vessel wall, circulating blood cells, and soluble proteins in the blood involved in blood clot formation and degradation. Dysregulation of this balance can lead to thrombosis or bleeding, both of which can have fatal outcomes. Our understanding of the regulation of hemostasis has evolved over the many decades since its initial description. Advances in knowledge have resulted in the development of new therapies that have reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease. This chapter provides an overview of the fundamentals of the hemostatic system with emphasis on the processes that lead to disease.