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Hemostatic parameters and platelet activation by flow-cytometry in normal pregnancy: a longitudinal study

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International Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Research

Summary

Nineteen pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies were studied during the first, second, and third trimesters. We measured the following hemostatic parameters: prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, platelet number and volume. Platelet function was examined by a cytofluorimetric method, using an anti-GPM-140 antibody which is directed against a platelet α granule membrane protein. Activated platelets were expressed as a percentage of the GMP-140-positive platelets over total platelets. Fibrinogen levels showed a steady increase during pregnancy; conversely prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, protein C, and antithrombin III showed no significant modifications and remained within the reference range. There was a decrease of protein S activity throughout pregnancy, although protein S antigen did not follow this trend. The decrease occurred early in pregnancy and persisted during the second and third trimesters, reaching a stable plateau. We observed no platelet volume change or activation: the percentage of activated platelets was within the normal reference range, even in late pregnancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Trasfusionale e di Immunoematologia, Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento, Via Commenda 12, I-20122, Milan, Italy

    L. Gatti, P. M. Tenconi, D. Guarneri & G. A. Gianotti

  2. V Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy

    C. Bertulessi, M. W. Ossola & P. Bosco

Authors
  1. L. Gatti
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  2. P. M. Tenconi
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  3. D. Guarneri
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  4. C. Bertulessi
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  5. M. W. Ossola
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  6. P. Bosco
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  7. G. A. Gianotti
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Gatti, L., Tenconi, P.M., Guarneri, D. et al. Hemostatic parameters and platelet activation by flow-cytometry in normal pregnancy: a longitudinal study. Int J Clin Lab Res 24, 217–219 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02592466

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02592466

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