title: Platelet reactivity and serum thromboxane B2 production in whole blood in gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the nature and extent of changes in platelet reactivity in gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia (using whole blood techniques which may be more physiological than those previously employed).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  8 normal primigravidae, 16 women with gestational hypertension and 12 women with pre-eclampsia, studied at around 36 weeks gestation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Platelet reactivity (aggregation and release reaction) induced by stimulation with adrenaline was decreased in the pre-eclamptic group. Serum thromboxane B2 production was unchanged in both hypertensive groups compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the context of evidence of platelet activation in pre-eclampsia, our findings are interpreted as reflecting platelet exhaustion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Nottingham.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Louden
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Broughton Pipkin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heptinstall
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Symonds
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000502:physiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013929:Thromboxane B2