The processes of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis are the primary defense systems of the vasculature after perforating injury. Procoagulant events that culminate in thrombin generation and fibrin clot formation protect the vasculature from excessive blood loss. Fibrinolysis removes the fibrin clot, restores blood flow and initiates mechanism involved in tissue repair and generation. Hemostasis, therefore, refers to multiple discreet processes that center on thrombin generation, fibrin clot formation and fibrin clot dissolution.

        Key words: hemostasis, hemocoagulation, procoagulant proteins, anticoagulant proteins, fibrinolysis.