title: Maternal plasma D-dimer levels in normal and complicated pregnancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate D-dimer as a marker for fibrinolysis in normal and complicated pregnancies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four groups of pregnant women were enrolled: 17 normal women followed longitudinally from 28-40 weeks' gestation, 14 patients with preterm labor at 28-34 weeks, 17 patients with preeclampsia at term (37-40 weeks), and 14 patients with abruptio placentae (32-40 weeks). We assayed peripheral venous blood samples from each patient for D-dimer levels using a commercial ELISA kit. D-dimer values were calculated by regression analysis using internal standards and controls for each assay. Data were compared using Student t test or analysis of variance with repeated measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  D-dimer values increased slightly with increasing gestational age. Patients with preterm labor, preeclampsia, and abruptio placentae had mean D-dimer values significantly greater than those of controls (P < .003). D-dimer values of the abruption group were approximately twice those of the control group (3393 +/- 2086 versus 1750 +/- 839 ng/dL).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An increase in fibrinolysis may be associated with the pregnancy complications studied, as reflected by alterations in maternal plasma D-dimer levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Devoe
mesh_terms: D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D