Related Experiment Videos
D-dimer concentrations during normal pregnancy, as measured by ELISA
I Francalanci1, P Comeglio, A A Liotta
1Istituto di Clinica Medica Generale e Cardiologia, University of Florence, Italy.
Thrombosis Research
|June 1, 1995
Summary
D-dimer and fibrinogen levels increase during pregnancy, with D-dimer reaching up to 685 micrograms/L by the end. These changes are important for evaluating hemostatic studies in pregnant women.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Hematology
- Physiology
Background:
- Pregnancy is associated with hypercoagulability.
- D-dimer and fibrinogen are key markers, but their normal ranges in uncomplicated pregnancy require clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference ranges for D-dimer, clottable fibrinogen, and antithrombin III (AT) during three trimesters of uncomplicated pregnancy.
- To understand the pattern of D-dimer modifications throughout gestation.
Main Methods:
- Plasma levels of D-dimer, fibrinogen, and AT were measured in 108 normal pregnant women across three periods: 1-20 weeks (A), 21-30 weeks (B), and 31-40 weeks (C).
- Levels were compared to non-pregnant controls and across the different pregnancy periods.
Main Results:
- Fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant controls.
- Mean D-dimer and fibrinogen levels increased significantly from period A to periods B and C.
- A significant positive correlation was observed between fibrinogen and D-dimer levels.
- Antithrombin III (AT) levels remained unchanged throughout pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- D-dimer levels can rise significantly during uncomplicated pregnancy, reaching up to 685 micrograms/L at term.
- These findings are crucial for accurate interpretation of hemostatic tests in both normal and high-risk pregnancies.
- The study provides essential reference values for D-dimer during pregnancy.