Fibrin Fibrinogen Split Products (FFSP), also known as FDPs (Fibrin Degradation Products) or FSPs (Fibrinogen Split Products), refer to small fragments of fibrin and fibrinogen that are generated during the breakdown of blood clots in the human body.
Fibrin is a fibrous protein that forms a mesh-like structure during blood clot formation, which helps to stop bleeding by trapping red blood cells and platelets. Fibrinogen, on the other hand, is a soluble protein produced by the liver that is converted into fibrin during the coagulation process.
FFSPs are generated when fibrinogen is converted into fibrin by the action of an enzyme called thrombin, and then further broken down into smaller peptides by another enzyme known as plasmin. Plasmin is responsible for fibrinolysis, the process of dissolving blood clots.
The presence of FFSPs in the bloodstream indicates ongoing clot formation and fibrinolysis. Elevated levels of FFSPs may be observed in various medical conditions, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), liver disease, or excessive bleeding.
Measuring FFSPs in blood samples can serve as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for certain clotting disorders and thrombotic conditions. Laboratory tests like D-dimer assays are commonly employed to detect and quantify FFSPs in clinical practice.
Understanding the levels of FFSPs in the body can help in assessing the extent of clot formation, evaluating the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy, and monitoring the progress of certain diseases.
