Fibrinolysis

https://longcovidatlas.org/glossary/fibrinolysis

In plain language

What it is

The body's normal process for dissolving blood clots once they are no longer needed.

Why it matters

In long COVID, some clots resist this breakdown and can persist.

Think of it like

The cleanup crew that clears a clot away after it has done its job.

For specialists

Formal definition

Enzymatic breakdown of fibrin by plasmin; impaired or resisted in the amyloid microclots described in long COVID.

Mechanism

Altered fibrin structure and raised PAI-1 can blunt plasmin-mediated clot clearance.

Sources

Fibrinaloid microclots in long COVID: assessing the evidence (RPTH 2024) free full text ›