Endogenous thrombin potential

The one and only function of the clotting system is to generate thrombin in the amounts and at the site required for haemostasis. The endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), is a parameter that reflects this function quantitatively1,2. The combined action of the procoagulant and anticoagulant systems in the blood is reflected in the course of thrombin concentration in a sample of blood after the clotting system is triggered, i.e. in the thrombin-generation curve (TGC; Figure 7.1). Such curves are characterized by an optional lag phase, a rise to a peak value and a decline to zero in the course of approximately 10 min.