ABSTRACT
The hypercoagulability status of women with and without gynecologic malignancies was compared using the thromboelastograph coagulation analyzer. Blood specimens from 25 women with newly diagnosed gynecologic malignancies and from 21 age-matched controls were analyzed. Hypercoagulability is defined by a short R value (min), a short K value (min), an elevated maximum amplitude (MA) value (mm), and a broad alpha-angle (degrees). A two-tailed, two-sample t-test was used for statistical analysis. When compared with specimens from age-matched controls, specimens from women with gynecologic malignancies demonstrated values consistent with hypercoagulability. The specific parameters are presented as a mean (+/- SD). Patients with gynecologic malignancies were found to have a short R value (7.1 +/- 2.1 vs. 11.8 +/- 1.8 min; P < 0.001), a short K value (3.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.9 min; P < 0.001), a prolonged MA value (64.7 +/- 5.4 vs. 58.8 +/- 6.1 mm; P = 0.001), and a greater alpha-angle (70.6 +/- 5.3 vs. 61.6 +/- 4.9 degrees ; P < 0.001). Detection of hypercoagulability as measured by thromboelastography is statistically more common among women with gynecologic malignancies compared with age-matched controls. Future studies may address the use of thromboelastography to identify patients at risk for gynecologic malignancies.