Components and defects of the coagulation system.

The purpose of this review article is to present a simplified view of coagulation in five parts (vessels, platelets, cascade, natural inhibitors, and fibrinolysis), update the NP with current concepts regarding coagulation, discuss cellular and protein functions, and provide an overall understanding of how the five components work together. Discussion of disease states, genetic deficiencies, and acquired inhibitors of the coagulation system is included in this article.