ABSTRACT
It has been suggested that the basis for the marked discordance in factor VIII parameters in preeclampsia is the result of proteolysis of the factor VIII procoagulant component (VIII:C) owing to activation of the coagulation system. To investigate this further, levels were compared of factor VIII:C and VIII:C (Ag), the immunologic equivalent of the procoagulant activity, in a series of preeclamptic patients and patients with uncomplicated pregnancies. No significant difference in the mean (+/- SD) level of factor VIII:C or VIII:C (Ag) could be detected between these groups. Our results do not support proteolysis of factor VIII:C as a mechanism to account for the discordant levels of the factor VIII parameters in preeclampsia.
Subject(s)
Factor VIII/analysis , Pre-Eclampsia/blood , Pregnancy/blood , Antigens/analysis , Factor VIII/immunology , Female , Humans , von Willebrand FactorABSTRACT
The plasma fibronectin concentration was abnormally elevated (greater than 400 micrograms/ml) in 16 of 17 normotensive gravid women who subsequently developed preeclampsia. Of this group, 13 had elevated levels detectable greater than or equal to 4 weeks before the onset of hypertension. Our results indicate that plasma fibronectin levels can be abnormally increased long before the onset of clinical symptoms and that abnormalities of this glycoprotein may be an early indication of this pathologic process.
Subject(s)
Fibronectins/blood , Pre-Eclampsia/diagnosis , Blood Pressure , Body Weight , Female , Humans , Pre-Eclampsia/blood , Pregnancy , Time FactorsABSTRACT
A 72-year-old man was noted, shortly after surgery, to have a bleeding diathesis secondary to the development of a high-titer anti-factor V inhibitor. We documented the presence of factor V:anti-factor V IgG immune complexes and their disappearance following a short course of steroid therapy.
