Health Communication: A Script on Haemostasis, October 2024

This assignment is a script designed for a digital media presentation on haemostasis, the process that stops bleeding in the body. The script explores the three interconnected steps: vascular spasm (vasoconstriction), platelet plug formation, and coagulation. The script explains the role of vasoconstriction, triggered by local sympathetic pain receptors and the release of intravascular signals. It then discusses the formation of the platelet plug, facilitated by the Von Willebrand factor, and the release of cytoplasmic granules. Finally, it details the coagulation cascade, involving the 13 clotting factors, and the formation of a fibrin mesh to support the platelet plug. The script concludes by emphasizing the complexity of haemostasis and the need for further research to understand and address anomalies in blood clotting. References to relevant research papers are also included.

Running head: SCRIPT ON HAEMOSTASIS
Script on haemostasis
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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SCRIPT ON HAEMOSTASIS
Introduction:
Haemostasis is one of the metabolic processes that are associated with many changes
in the body and hence it has been the topic of extensive research for a considerable amount of
time (Key, 2017). In this presentation I would be focusing on the haemostasis mechanism and
the factors associated with the procedure.
Explanation of task concept:
First and foremost, I would like to address the importance of my choice of this topic
for this digital media presentation. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that
haemostasis is the process that causes bleeding to stop in the body. This is the process which
gradually changes the liquid state to solid state during and after the process of clotting. There
are 13 different clotting factors involved with the entire process and along with that there is
an intricate physiological and genetic network which plays fundamental roles in the process
of haemostasis (Monagle, 2015).
Process:
In this slide, I would like to mention that this natural process of blood coagulation
during the time of an injury leading to breaking of skin and bleeding involves three
interconnected steps. The steps are vascular spasm or vasoconstriction, followed by
formation of the platelet plug and then the last step which is the coagulation. Exploring the
issue further, the first step is the vasoconstriction, which is a reflex step where the blood
vessels present in the injury site is narrowed down and as a result to increase blood pressure
(Panteleev, Dashkevich & Ataullakhanov, 2015). The process is initiated by the local
sympathetic pain receptors which triggers vascular endothelium which releases intravascular
signals to the smooth muscle cells for the contraction to begin. This leads to collagen to be
exposed which triggers the platelets to adhere to the injury site.

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SCRIPT ON HAEMOSTASIS
The second step of the haemostasis is the formation of the platelet plug, which is
facilitated by the platelet adhesion which leads to the thrombo-regulation. The step of plug
formation is facilitated by the glycoprotein called the Von Willebrand factor. This plasma
component plays a major role in the haemostatic process, which activates the platelets to
release the cytoplasmic granules such as adenosine diphosphate, serotonin, and thromboxane
A2. These factors together perform the function of vasoconstrictor, platelet aggression, and
degranulation which creates the platelet plug and continues the positive feedback loop
(Shelton et al., 2017).
The third and final step in the process of the haemostasis is the formation of the blood
clot itself. As discussed by the Panteleev, Dashkevich and Ataullakhanov (2015), after the
formation of the platelet plug, the 13 clotting factors present in the blood are activated one by
one in a cascade which is also known as the coagulation cascade. This activation sequence
leads to the formation of fibrin, which is transformed to the activated state from the inactive
state of fibrinogen plasma protein. The fibrin mesh is generated all around the platelet plug to
provide support and hold it is place. This process is also called secondary haemostasis, in
which some red and white blood cells are trapped in the mesh which hardens the primary
haemostasis plug facilitating the process of the wound healing and sealing off the broken skin
to stop the bleeding completely (Wilson, Stevens & Coughlin, 2017).
Conclusion:
In a concluding slide, I would like to summarize the main points mentioned in the
presentation. The process is very complicated and lack of functionality in any of the
interconnected steps and factors can lead to faulty blood coagulation affecting the health of
the individual. Hence, there is need for extensive research on the different steps and each

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SCRIPT ON HAEMOSTASIS
intricate factors to understand the process in acute details to help understand the anomalies
that exist in blood clotting and how it can be reverted.

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SCRIPT ON HAEMOSTASIS
References:
Key, N. S. (2017). Practical hemostasis and thrombosis. John Wiley & Sons.
Monagle, P. (2015). Developmental hemostasis I. Pediatric Thrombotic Disorders, 107.
Panteleev, M. A., Dashkevich, N. M., & Ataullakhanov, F. I. (2015). Hemostasis and
thrombosis beyond biochemistry: roles of geometry, flow and diffusion. Thrombosis
research, 136(4), 699-711.
Shelton IV, F. E., Baxter III, C. O., Yates, D. C., Hunt, J. V., & Modi, K. R. (2017). U.S.
Patent No. 9,572,622. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Wilson, S. J., Stevens, M. M., & Coughlin, S. R. (2017). Ablation of Thrombin Signaling in
Platelets but Not in Endothelial Cells Impairs Hemostasis in a Mouse Model of
Spontaneous Gastrointestinal Bleeding. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular
Biology, 37(suppl_1), A53-A53.