What is the process called in which thrombolytic drugs break down clots?

The process in which thrombolytic drugs break down clots is known as fibrinolysis. During fibrinolysis, the body uses natural mechanisms to dissolve blood clots that are no longer needed, preventing excessive blood clotting that could lead to conditions such as heart attacks or strokes. Thrombolytic agents aid this process by enhancing the body's ability to break down fibrin, the protein that forms the structural basis of blood clots.

In contrast to fibrinolysis, thrombosis refers to the formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel, which is the opposite of the breakdown process. Hemostasis is the body's process of stopping bleeding through clot formation, and coagulation is part of hemostasis that involves the solidification of blood to prevent excessive bleeding. These processes are essential for maintaining balance in the circulatory system, but they do not specifically describe the action of dissolving clots, which is the hallmark of fibrinolysis.