PARAFIBRINOGEN Meaning and
Definition
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Parafibrinogen, also known as fibrinogen variant E, is an abnormal form of the protein fibrinogen that is found in the bloodstream. Fibrinogen is a vital component of the clotting cascade, which is responsible for the formation of blood clots to prevent excessive bleeding.
Parafibrinogen is considered a variant because it differs from the normal fibrinogen structure due to certain genetic mutations. These genetic changes affect the functionality and structure of the protein, leading to its abnormal behavior. Unlike the regular fibrinogen, which plays a crucial role in the formation of stable clots, parafibrinogen exhibits reduced clotting ability and may cause blood clotting disorders.
The abnormal protein can be detected through laboratory tests that measure its concentration in the plasma. Increased levels of parafibrinogen may indicate the presence of certain medical conditions or underlying genetic abnormalities.
Furthermore, parafibrinogen can lead to the formation of abnormal blood clots known as fibrin clots, which have altered characteristics compared to normal clots. These clots may be less stable, leading to a higher risk of bleeding and ineffective hemostasis, or they may be more resistant to breakdown, increasing the risk of thrombosis.
Treatment for parafibrinogenemia often involves managing the symptoms associated with abnormal clot formation. This may include the use of anticoagulant medications to prevent excessive clotting or, in some cases, blood transfusion to replace deficient clotting factors. Further research is ongoing to understand parafibrinogenemia better and develop targeted therapeutic interventions.
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A substance obtained by the precipitation of fibrinogen by means of sodium chloride.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PARAFIBRINOGEN
Etymology of PARAFIBRINOGEN
The word "parafibrinogen" is derived from Greek roots.
The prefix "para-" in Greek means "beside" or "closely resembling".
"Fibrinogen" is a compound word combining "fibrin", which refers to a fibrous protein in the human body that helps in forming blood clots, and "gen", which denotes "producer" or "one that generates".
Therefore, the term "parafibrinogen" essentially means a substance or molecule closely resembling fibrinogen.
