Endothelial microparticles in preeclampsia and eclampsia

Objective: To compare endothelial microparticles values in eclamptic, preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Materials and methods: Patients were selected among those who assisted to Obstetrics Emergency at Hospital Central "Dr. Urquinaona", Maracaibo, Venezuela. There were included 30 patients with mild preeclampsia (group A), 30 patients with severe preeclampsia (group B) and 30 patients with eclampsia (group C). A control group was selected for having similar age and body mass index to studied groups and consisted in 35 healthy pregnant women (group D). There were included only nuliparous patients. Blood samples were collected in all patients before delivery and in studied groups immediately after diagnosis for endothelial microparticles determination. Results: There were statistically significant differences in gestational age between groups B and C compared with controls (P < .05). Higher values of endothelial microparticles were observed in eclamptic patients together with severe preeclamptic patients. Lower values were found in mild preeclamptic patients. Studied groups presented significant higher values of endothelial microparticles compared with controls (P < .05). When linear regression was performed, factors that significantly affected endothelial microparticles values were: uric acid, 24-hour proteinuria, transaminases and platelet count (P < .05). Conclusions: The findings of this research showed that eclamptic and preeclamptic patients had higher endothelial microparticles values than normotensive pregnant women. (C) 2010 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.