Platelet activation and endogenous thrombin potential in pre-eclampsia

Introduction: Platelets and the coagulation system may be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. We investigated whether platelet and coagulation activation markers, are elevated in pre-eclampsia. Materials/methods: Case-control study in which activated platelets, platelet-monocyte/neutrophil aggregates, platelet microparticles (measured by flow cytometry) and four markers of thrombin generation capacity (endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), peak height, lag time and time to peak) using the Calibrated Automated Thrombogram system were assessed in pregnant women of similar gestational age with (n=46) and without (n=46) pre-eclampsia, and in healthy non-pregnant women (n=42). Results: The percentage of, CD62P+ platelets (p=0.013), CD62P+ platelet microparticles (p=0.029) and platelet-monocyte aggregates (p=0.019) were significantly higher in women with pre-eclampsia than the pregnant controls. Both groups of pregnant women had significantly higher ETP and peak height (p < 0.001) than the healthy non pregnant group and the women with pre-eclampsia had significantly higher ETP and peak height (p<0.001) than the normotensive pregnant controls. Conclusion: In the most comprehensive laboratory analysis to date, we found evidence of both platelet and coagulation activation in women with pre-eclampsia. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.