FIGURE 1.

Stages of hemostasis and corresponding agents used to enhance the respective stage. (a) Primary hemostasis involves platelet adhesion and platelet aggregation which eventually leads to platelet plug formation. (b) Secondary hemostasis involves the coagulation cascade which terminates with the formation of a permanent plug characterized by a fibrin mesh. (c) Regulation of hemostasis consists of a delicate balance between pro‐coagulant and anti‐coagulant factors. Anti‐coagulant factors released by the endothelial cells limit hemostasis to the site of vascular injury. In cases of elevated anti‐coagulant activity, agents that inhibit anti‐coagulants are employed as hemostats. FFP, fresh frozen plasma; HSC, hematopoietic stem cell; siRNA, small interfering RNA; TFPI, tissue‐factor pathway inhibitor; vWF, von Willebrand Factor.