A Matter of Life & Death

摘要

Mammals have evolved a blood-clotting system that stops bleeding by plugging damaged blood vessels. This blood-clotting system involves platelets and must be tightly regulated. Low platelet numbers in the blood or clotting factor deficiencies like haemophilia can cause fatal blood loss. Conversely, pathological platelet activation can lead to heart attack or stroke when clots block blood vessels in the heart or brain.