Plasma factor VII: a potential marker of pre-eclampsia

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Hematology
• Coagulation Science

Background:

• Pregnancy naturally induces a hypercoagulable state, which intensifies in conditions like pre-eclampsia (P-EC).
• Existing research on hemostatic factors in P-EC is limited and shows inconsistencies.
• This study investigates the tissue factor (TF)-dependent pathway in P-EC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the tissue factor (TF)-dependent pathway in pre-eclampsia (P-EC).
• To determine if specific hemostatic factors can serve as biomarkers for P-EC.

Main Methods:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) measured plasma levels of Factor VII (FVII), FVIIa, TF, and TFPI.
• Participants included healthy non-pregnant women, normal pregnant women, and women with P-EC.
• All participants were age-matched, with pregnant groups matched for gestational age and parity in the third trimester.

Main Results:

• Plasma FVII levels were significantly elevated in women with P-EC compared to both healthy non-pregnant and normal pregnant groups (P<0.001).
• No significant differences were observed in plasma FVIIa, TF, or TFPI levels among the groups.
• Plasma FVII demonstrated high sensitivity (90%) and specificity (80%) in distinguishing P-EC from normal pregnancies.

Conclusions:

• Plasma FVII levels are significantly elevated in pre-eclampsia (P-EC).
• These elevations occur independently of changes in FVIIa, TF, and TFPI.
• Plasma FVII is proposed as a potential diagnostic marker for P-EC.