title: Development of resistance to activated protein C during pregnancy.
abstract: We measured activated protein C (APC) anticoagulant activity in 20 healthy women at 14-20, 28 and 36 weeks gestation, and at 1 d post-partum. Significant reductions in the mean APC sensitivity ratio (APC-SR) were observed at all stages of pregnancy studied compared with the mean APC-SR obtained for baseline measurements carried out at > 8 weeks post-partum. APC resistance was seen in 8/19 (42%) and in 11/20 (55%) women at 14-20 and 28 weeks gestation respectively. The development of resistance to APC may contribute to the increased risk of thrombosis during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Haematology, Manchester Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cumming
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Tait
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fildes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keeney
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Hay
mesh_terms: D001777:Blood Coagulation; D005165:Factor V / Q000235:genetics; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017354:Point Mutation; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000209:etiology; D011486:Protein C / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D011486:Protein C; D005165:Factor V; D005169:Factor VIII