Intravascular coagulation in gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia: the value of haematological screening tests

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Abstract
Routine investigations designed to detect excessive intravascular coagulation in patients with gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia have been analysed in 936 cases. Reticulocyte counts did not differ significantly from those in normal controls and abnormal red cell morphology was detected in only two patients. Fibrinogen degradation products and thrombocytopenia were found in about 10% of all hypertensive women and macrothrombocytosis in 32%. Neither reticulocyte counts nor the scanning of stained blood films for evidence of microangiopathic haemolysis have a place in the routine investigation of pre-eclampsia and it is doubtful whether any of the other screening tests can influence the management of patients with uncomplicated gestational hypertension. In fully developed pre-eclampsia, macrothrombocytosis is found in about 50% of patients, fibrinogen degradation products and thrombocytopenia in about 15%. All three parameters reflect the degree of clinical severity of the disease.