title: Laboratory findings in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
abstract: This study sought to determine whether a normal platelet count is a reliable predictor of the absence of other coagulation abnormalities in patients with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. A retrospective review of laboratory data obtained from 80 patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was carried out. Results of complete blood cell count, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), D-dimer, fibrin split products, and fibrinogen, bilirubin, and liver enzyme levels were reviewed. Minor abnormalities of PT, PTT, and fibrinogen level were frequent, even in the presence of a normal platelet count. These were found mostly in patients with severe pre-eclampsia. A baseline complete blood cell count including platelet count is probably sufficient in patients with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Fibrinogen level and PT and PTT determinations are recommended in patients who have severe preeclampsia and for whom operative delivery or regional anesthesia is planned. This will detect minor abnormalities in a few patients despite a normal platelet count. This information may help prevent bleeding complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19129, USA.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: FitzGerald
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Floro
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hernandez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D005544:Forecasting; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D010976:Platelet Count; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood*; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D; D005340:Fibrinogen; D001663:Bilirubin