Fibrinolysis refers to which of the following?

• A. Formation of a clot
• B. Breakdown and removal of a clot
• C. Clot stabilization
• D. Platelet aggregation

Answer: (B)

Fibrinolysis is the breakdown and removal of a clot. After a clot forms to stop bleeding, this process dissolves the fibrin mesh that holds the clot together, helping restore normal blood flow. It works when plasminogen is activated to plasmin by enzymes like tissue plasminogen activator, which then digests fibrin and other clot components. The result is clot dissolution and clearance, with byproducts such as D-dimer indicating breakdown has occurred. This system is tightly regulated by inhibitors to prevent excessive bleeding or clotting.

In contrast, clot formation comes from the coagulation cascade creating a fibrin network to stop bleeding, clot stabilization refers to crosslinking of fibrin to make the clot stronger, and platelet aggregation is the initial step of hemostasis forming a platelet plug.