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"Preeclamptic labs" for evaluating hypertension in pregnancy
R L Kramer1, L A Izquierdo, G J Gilson
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
Objective:
To determine the utility of evaluating coagulation function in patients with chronic hypertension, transient hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia and the HELLP syndrome.
Study Design:
We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 244 patients who delivered between March 1992 and March 1994 at the University of New Mexico with a discharge diagnosis of either hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Results:
Nine patients were thrombocytopenic on admission, as defined by a platelet count of < 100,000/mm3. Three of the 244 patients had mild prolongation of the partial thromboplastin time, and none had prolongation of the prothrombin time. Two of the patients with prolongation of the partial thromboplastin time were thrombocytopenic on admission, and the last had elevation of liver enzymes. No patient had clinical evidence of coagulopathy.
Conclusion:
Measurement of the partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time in the evaluation of preeclampsia/eclampsia can be avoided if the platelet count and liver enzymes are normal. This results in a decrease in hospital charges and no compromise in patient safety.