title: Evaluation of the prethrombotic state in pregnancy and in women using oral contraceptives.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pregnancy and oral contraceptive use on in vivo coagulation by measurement of plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and thrombin antithrombin III complex. Fifty-four women with uncomplicated singleton gestations, 34 women using oral contraceptives and 45 non-pregnant controls were the subjects of this study. Levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and thrombin-antithrombin III complex were measured using enzyme linked immunoassays. In uncomplicated pregnancies, levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and thrombin antithrombin III complex increased significantly with advancing gestational age. Women using oral contraceptives had significantly higher levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and thrombin antithrombin III complex compared to non-pregnant controls. The significant increase in levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and thrombin-antithrombin III complex throughout gestation and in women using oral contraceptives provided evidence of thrombin activation during these clinical conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teppa
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McGough
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Cowchock
mesh_terms: D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000378:metabolism; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000378:metabolism; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C046193:antithrombin III-protease complex; C045879:prothrombin fragment 1.2; D000990:Antithrombin III; D011516:Prothrombin; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases