Description
Fibrinogen (clotting factor I) is an essential protein responsible for blood clot formation. In the final step of the coagulation cascade, thrombin converts soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin strands that crosslink and form a clot.
Fibrinogen is synthesized in the liver and has a biological half-life of 3 to 5 days in the circulating plasma. Fibrinogen deficiencies can be congenital or acquired and lead to prolonged coagulation times. Isolated fibrinogen deficiency is an extremely rare inherited coagulation disorder.