Coagulation-fibrinolytic and kinin-forming systems in toxemia of pregnancy

The relationship between the hemostatic system and the severity of toxemia was studied in 78 pregnant women with toxemia. The activities of plasma antithrombin III (AT-III), prekallikrein, plasminogen, alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor and factor XIII were determined using the chromogenic substrate and fluorescent methods. The antigens of both AT-III and factor XIII were determined by the single radial immunodiffusion method. Plasma bradykinin was determined by radioimmunoassay. The main results obtained were as follows. Both activities of AT-III and plasma prekallikrein decreased as the gestosis index increased (p less than 0.001), and a significant negative correlation was observed between the total score of the gestosis index and AT-III (r = -0.447, p less than 0.005) or plasma prekallikrein (r = -0.434, p less than 0.005). The levels of plasminogen, alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor and factor XIII decreased and plasma bradykinin increased in toxemia. Among the various factors, plasma AT-III and prekallikrein were the most sensitive indicators of the severity of toxemia.