The haemostatic system is one the most important physiological systems for maintaining
health and well-being. Disturbances of the haemostatic system, in the broader sense (e.g.,
heart disease, strokes), arguably constitute the single greatest contribution to non-infectious
mortality in the world today. Bleeding and clotting problems are also major causes of
morbidity and mortality in patients with primary underlying diseases such as cancer, whether
secondary to the disease or the therapy. In this context, understanding the laboratory
methods to assess the haemostatic system is vital for the practice of complex clinical medicine.
Perhaps even more importantly, the investigation of the haemostatic system remains a
research priority.