Thrombolytic Mechanisms - Control of Fibrinolysis

Control of fibrinolysis is a finely balanced mechanism involving activators and inhibitors. This diagram shows a normal blood vessel with fibrinogen and plasminogen circulating in the blood. As you click through the following pages you will see the mechanisms by which deposited fibrin is removed from the damaged vessel once endothelial repair has taken place. If a thrombus is not removed by fibrinolysis a thombosis may result.

There are two main inhibitors - a2 antiplasmin (a2 AP) and plasminogen activator inhibitor - I (PAI-I). These are also in the circulation.