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D-dimer plasma levels during normal pregnancy measured by specific ELISA
I Francalanci1, P Comeglio, A Alessandrello Liotta
1Istituto di Clinica Medica Generale e Cardiologia, University of Florence, Italy.
International Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Research
|January 1, 1997
Summary
D-dimer and fibrinogen levels progressively increase during normal pregnancy. This study utilized a specific D-dimer ELISA, confirming these increases while noting lower D-dimer values compared to other assays.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Hematology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Pregnancy is associated with increased D-dimer and fibrinogen levels.
- Existing D-dimer assays show variability due to antibody specificity.
- A need exists for precise measurement of fibrin degradation products in pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To verify the progressive increase of fibrin degradation products during normal pregnancy.
- To utilize a newly developed specific D-dimer ELISA for accurate quantification.
- To compare D-dimer and fibrinogen levels across different gestational periods.
Main Methods:
- Plasma D-dimer levels were measured using a specific ELISA.
- Fibrinogen levels were determined by a clotting method.
- 63 pregnant women were studied across three trimesters (A, B, C) and compared to non-pregnant controls.
Main Results:
- D-dimer levels showed a significant increase in the second and third trimesters (P < 0.0001) compared to early pregnancy.
- D-dimer levels correlated significantly with gestational age (P < 0.0001).
- Fibrinogen levels were significantly elevated in all trimesters compared to controls (P < 0.0001) and increased progressively.
Conclusions:
- A progressive increase in plasma fibrin degradation products, specifically D-dimer, is confirmed during normal pregnancy.
- The specific D-dimer ELISA yielded lower values than previously reported for other assays.
- Findings support the use of specific assays for accurate assessment of coagulation changes in pregnancy.