study of coagulopathy in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

ABSTRACT

This study compared a group of items concerning the activation of the coagulation system and fibrinolytic system in various hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy, as well as AT III. One hundred and twenty pregnant women were studied contained in 4 equal groups. These were normal controls, PIH, PAH and PAH with super imposed PIH. Each patient had fibrinogen levels, platelet counts, plasminogen levels, Fibrinogen/Fibrin degradation products and Antithrombin III estimated. The results showed that PIH was characterised by significant affection of all 5 parameters. PAH showed only mild drop in platelet counts. When PAH was complicated by PIH all 5 parameters became affected. These results identify a coagulopathy found in PIH only and not in PAH with exception of platelets that are reference in all conditions. Liver involvement in PIH should be tested for to identify its role in this coagulopathy. Reductions of AT III could also have a role in initiating this coagulopathy