[Vasoactive prostanoids and inhibitors of blood coagulation in pregnancy-induced hypertension]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of changes in the plasma levels of vasoactive prostanoids and inhibitors of blood coagulation in normal pregnancy and in cases of pregnancy induced hypertension. Levels of the coagulation inhibitors antithrombin III, protein C, Protein S as well as the prostaglandin metabolites thromboxane B2 and 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha were measured between 13 and 37 weeks gestation in 36 primigravidae. In 8 of the examined patients persistently raised blood pressure values of 140/90 and above were measured after 20 weeks of gestation. Our results indicated that an imbalance of vasoactive prostanoids may precede the appearance of clinical symptoms of PIH. The determination of coagulation factors before blood pressure is elevated has no predictive value regarding the later development of PIH. The reduced levels of protein C associated with our PIH group are considered to be the result of an activated coagulation followed by consumption of clotting factors. Reduced measured levels of protein S in normotensive as well as hypertensive pregnancies offer an explanation for the increased risk of thromboembolic disease. This increased susceptibility to thromboembolic disorders is further enhanced by the altered balance between the platelet aggregator and vasoconstrictor thromboxane A2 and its antagonist prostacyclin.