Erythrocyte deformability and erythrocyte aggregation in preeclampsia

One of the features of preeclampsia is impaired blood rheology due to altered erythrocyte aggregation and erythrocyte deformability. We investigated these two parameters which affect the viscosity of blood, along with serum and intraerythrocytic magnesium concentrations, immunoglobulin titres and fibrinogen concentration in 12 preeclamptic women. Eighteen (18) other non-preeclamptic, gestation-matched women acted as controls. Erythrocyte deformability, expressed as elongation index (EI), and erythrocyte aggregation expressed as aggregation half-time (t 1/2) were measured with the Laser-assisted Optical Rotational Cell Analyser (LORCA). Serum and intraerythrocytic magnesium concentrations were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry, immunoglobulin titres by radial immunodiffusion and fibrinogen concentration by a clot weight technique. There was no statistically significant difference in these parameters between preeclamptics and controls suggesting that erythrocyte deformability and aggregation as well as serum and intraerythrocytic concentrations, fibrinogen levels and immunoglobulin titres are not altered in preeclampsia. Further investigations are required in severe preeclampsia and in preeclamptic women taking magnesium sulphate supplement.