Resistance to activated protein C and the leiden mutation: high prevalence in patients with abruptio placentae.
OBJECTIVE
The Leiden mutation, a point mutation in the gene encoding coagulation factor V, is associated with a high frequency of thromboembolic phenomena. It has recently been connected with adverse outcomes of pregnancy. We carried out this study to define its connection with abruptio placentae.


METHODS
Twenty-seven women who had abruptio placentae and 29 control subjects matched for age, parity, and ethnic origin were studied. We studied all women for possible hypercoagulation defects. All women demonstrating resistance to activated protein C were studied for the presence of the factor V Leiden mutation.


RESULTS
Seventeen of 27 case patients had an activated protein C ratio </=2.5, compared with 5 of 29 control subjects (odds ratio 8.16, 95% confidence interval 3.6-12.75, P =.00125). Participants with activated protein C ratios </=2.5 underwent deoxyribonucleic acid analysis. Eight case patients were found to have the factor V Leiden mutation (5 heterozygous and 3 homozygous, 29.6%), compared with 1 heterozygote among the control subjects who were tested (3.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Factor V Leiden mutation was found quite frequently in patients with abruptio placentae.
Wiener-Megnagi
Z
Z
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HaEmek Medical Center, and The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Afula, Israel.
Ben-Shlomo
I
I
Goldberg
Y
Y
Shalev
E
E
D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000235:genetics*; D020016:Activated Protein C Resistance / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005165:Factor V / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017354:Point Mutation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence
C095381:factor V Leiden; D005165:Factor V