Determination of fibrinogen in blood plasma on an analyzer

Fibrinogen, a serum protein that is necessary to stop bleeding, is also an acute phase protein. It is synthesized in the liver and is inactive in the bloodstream.

If we briefly describe the mechanism of stopping bleeding, it looks like this: the vessel wall is damaged, bleeding begins. First of all, there is a reflex spasm of the vessel. Further activated substances - clotting factors, which "attract" platelets to the site of bleeding. After the rupture site is clogged with platelet cells, the whole mass begins to be braided with fibrin strands like a grid. Then the platelets secrete substances that compress and seal the entire thrombus so that it clogs the rupture site. The bleeding is stopped, after the vessel is restored, it is necessary to dissolve the thrombus so that it does not come off and clog the lumen of the artery of a smaller diameter (the cause of the stroke).

Fibrinogen is in the blood in a dissolved state, under the action of thrombin and XIIIa factor, it turns into an insoluble form.

The determination of fibrinogen in the blood refers to the analysis of the third phase of plasma hemostasis.

The main purpose of the test is to study the blood coagulation system, as well as to assess the risk of complications of cardiovascular diseases, since even a slight increase in fibrinogen concentration is a poor prognostic sign.

During pregnancy, there is a physiological increase in fibrinogen levels (sometimes by 50% of normal values).

See also: "Coagulogram and its indicators"