Plasma Fibrinopeptide A and Beta-Thromboglobulin in Pre-Eclampsia and Pregnancy Hypertension

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Abstract
Increased plasma levels of β-thromboglobulin (βTG) and fibrinopeptide A (FPA), markers of platelet release and thrombin generation respectively, were measured in normal women, women taking oral contraceptives, normal pregnancy and pregnant women with hypertension or pre-eclampsia. No significant increases in βTG or FPA were found in women taking oral contraceptives. Significantly increased concentrations of βTG, but not FPA, were found in normal pregnant women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy when compared with nonpregnant age-matched controls. In eleven women with pregnancy hypertension and thirteen women with pre-eclampsia significantly elevated levels of both βTG and FPA were found when compared with age, parity and gestation-matched pregnant controls. Although the mean value for both βTG and FPA in the group with pre-eclampsia was higher than the group with pregnancy hypertension, the difference was not statistically significant. These findings provide additional evidence that pre-eclampsia and pregnancy hypertension are associated with activation of the coagulation system and the platelet release reaction.