Fig. 4

Pathways of haemostasis/thrombosis and the biomarkers involved. Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is produced by endothelial cells and mediates platelet aggregation and adhesion to form a platelet plug after vascular injury. Fibrinogen is produced by the liver and released into the circulation where the coagulation cascade results in its conversion to fibrin. Fibrin forms a mesh to stabilise the forming blood clot. The enzyme plasmin degrades fibrin, producing D-dimers as clot breakdown products. Plasmin is converted from its inactive precursor by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is inhibited by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), thereby inhibiting clot breakdown