Abnormal hemostasis and coagulopathy in preeclampsia and eclampsia

Preeclampsia and eclampsia appear to be a state of increased coagulopathy as evidenced by an increase in fibrin formation, activation of the fibrinolytic system, platelet activation and a decrease in platelet count. Routine tests used to assess decompensated disseminated intravascular coagulopathy are of limited value in the preeclamptic and eclamptic population. More sophisticated tests such as determinations of antithrombin III, thrombin-antithrombin III complex, D-dimer, factor VIII antigen/activity ratio, and beta-thromboglobulin, however, show a compensated coagulopathy in the preeclamptic patient. These hemostatic changes, probably the result of endothelial damage, are implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease. A better understanding about the abnormalities of hemostasis and coagulation in the preeclamptic and eclamptic patient may allow the clinician to provide improved management and possibly peripartum therapy.