The result of converting fibrinogen to fibrin is a visible fibrin clot. The fibrin clot is formed loosely over the site of injury, reinforcing the platelet plug and closing off the wound. Removal of the clot by fibrinolysis is the last stage in clot formation. This stage ensures the removal of organized clots by plasmin as well as wound healing and tissue remodeling.
The fibrin and fibrinogen decomposition products, called fibrin degradation products or fibrin split products (FSPs), are formed during fibrinolysis and removed from the blood by the mononuclear phagocytic system. As breakdown products of fibrin, d-dimers result only when fibrin stabilized by factor XIII cross-linking has been digested. Evidence indicates that the fibrinolytic system and the coagulation system are in equilibrium in normal patients.
