Regulation of Vascular Bed–Specific Prothrombotic Potential

Abstract

Hemostasis is the result of interdependent and complex systemic and local endothelial pathways that govern vascular integrity and rheology. A striking feature of hypercoagulable conditions is the focal nature of the resultant thrombotic pathology. Such disorders in hemostasis may be associated with distinct vascular beds, thus implying that the relative combined contribution of individual regulatory pathways may be specific and/or unique to a particular locale in the vasculature. Systemic factors and platelets mediate the formation of fibrin deposition; however, it is the diverse interrelationships in the interaction of these systemic elements with the local endothelial components that dictate vascular bed–specific hemostatic regulation. Indeed, the local activation of coagulation cascades, rather than increases in systemic thrombotic potential, is what leads to fibrin formation in different vascular beds. Hence, the propensity for congenital or acquired disorders to result in local thrombotic pathology is based on the relative contribution of the various hemostatic regulatory pathways in individual vascular beds. The present review highlights the role of local endothelial regulation in the interaction between local and systemic elements that contribute to vascular bed–specific prothrombotic potential.