Controlled regulatory mechanism for thrombus dissolution in order to preserve vascular patency. The process of vascular occlusion (coagulation) is the principal stimulus for simultaneously setting into motion the process of fibrinolysis. Local activation and control of fibrinolysis is due in large measure to the properties of the thrombus. The key enzyme of the fibrinolytic system is Plasmin. The slide show entitled Fibrinolytic Pathway shows the major players in fibrinolysis.
