BACKGROUND Thromboelastometry is a whole blood assay performed to evaluate the viscoelastic properties during blood clot formation and lysis. Rotation thromboelastography (ROTEM), Pentapharm GmbH, Munich, Germany) has overcome some of the limitations of classic thromboelastography. So far, no clinical validation on reproducibility (inter- and intra-assay variability) and sample stability over t...

Greige cotton contains waxes and pectin on the outer surface of the fiber that are removed when bleached, but these components present potential wound dressing functionality. Cotton nonwovens blended with hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers including viscose, polyester, and polypropylene were assessed for clotting activity with thromboelastography (TEG) and thrombin production. Clotting was eval...

Zinc released from activated platelets binds fibrin(ogen) and attenuates fibrinolysis. Although zinc also affects clot formation, the mechanism and consequences are poorly understood. To address these gaps, the effect of zinc on clot formation and structure was examined in the absence or presence of factor (F) XIII. Zinc accelerated a) plasma clotting by 1.4-fold, b) fibrinogen clotting by 3.5-...

Coagulation is triggered by inflammatory mediators in a number of ways. However, to prevent unwanted clot formation, several natural anticoagulant mechanisms exist, such as the antithrombin-heparin mechanism, the tissue factor pathway inhibitor mechanism and the protein C anticoagulant pathway. This review examines the ways in which these pathways are down-regulated by inflammation, thus limiti...

After trauma, the formation of a thrombus is essential to stem bleeding. A cascade of proenzymes, enzymes, and cofactors interact with damaged vessel endothelium to converge on a common pathway with the formation of a fibrin clot. The clot acts as a mechanical plug to prevent bleeding and is vital for normal vascular function. Disturbance of this pathway can be deadly; too little clotting resul...