Thromboxane A2 synthesis in pregnancy-induced hypertension

Urinary excretion of thromboxane B2 metabolites as markers of thromboxane A2 synthesis was measured in eight patients with moderate to severe pregnancy-induced hypertension and in six normotensive pregnant women at term. Excretion of both 2,3-dinor-TxB2 (median 3919, range 683-16,680 pg/mg creatinine) and 11-dehydro-TxB2 (median 10,187, range 434-57,203 pg/mg creatinine) was significantly higher in the patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension than in the normotensive pregnant group (927[273-1343] and 774[500-2760] pg/mg creatinine, respectively). Thromboxane metabolite excretion correlated with mean arterial blood pressure, plasma lactate dehydrogenase, and platelet count which are indices of the severity of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Excretion of both metabolites fell rapidly post partum in parallel with resolution of clinical signs. Thus, increased thromboxane A2 biosynthesis correlates with disease severity and may have a pathogenetic role in pregnancy-induced hypertension. These findings provide a rationale for the use of aspirin in the treatment as well as in the prevention of this disorder.