Hypercoagulability in the dysmature syndrome

The hypercoagulability states

Although interest in coagulation has usually centered about the various hemorraghic disorders, it is hyperactivity of the hemostatic system with its thrombotic complications which has a far greater clinical impact. The hypercoagulability states are a vague group of disorders not well defined by the laboratory. They fall into two distinct groups: (1) conditions promoting venous thrombosis by activating the coagulation mechanism and (2) conditions promoting arterial thrombosis by platelet plug formation. Dealing with both of these groups separately the various disorders associated with a hypercoagulable state are discussed as well as their pathophysiologic basis; Special emphasis is placed on the laboratory evaluation of these disorders.

Fetal death: coagulation defects and management. Report of 20 cases with study of the half-life of [125I]fibrinogen

This report concerns 20 patients with intrauterine fetal death. Blood samples for coagulation studies were obtained before, during and after delivery. No clinical defibrination or bleeding was noted. Coagulation defects were observed as follows: 2 biological defibrinations: The first case was a pregnancy of 32 wk with retention for more than 12 wk; hypofibrinogenemia was noted in all 6 samples, between 180 and 280 mg/100 ml. The second was a pregnancy of 32 wk with retention for more than 8 wk; fibrinogenemia was between 170 mg/100 ml and 140 mg/100 ml. 2 intravascular coagulations with normal fibrinogenemia, increase of fibrin degradation products and positive ethanol tests. 3 cases with slight coagulation defects that were difficult to explain. The coagulation defects appeared to be transient, and sometimes resolved themselves spontaneously. Induction of labour was made in 19 cases; quinine sulfate, used in 17 cases, was remarkably successful (1 intolerance, 1 failure). Study of the half-life of [125I]fibrinogen was made in 18 of the 20 cases. On average, it was reduced by half in comparison with the half-life of healthy men. The decrease was noted even in cases of fetal deaths without the coagulation defects detected by classical tests. The half-life of [125I]fibrinogen in 6 pregnant women before therapeutic abortion was also studied. The decrease of half-life was noted. Changes of metabolism of fibrinogen during pregnancy are discussed.

Coagulation and fibrinolysis in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth retardation

Saline extracts were made from portions of 17 normal placentae and from 8 placentae from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth retardation, but not hypertension. The ability of these extracts to inhibit urokinase-induced fibrinolysis was measured using a fibrin plate technique. Placental extracts from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth retardation exhibited greater inhibition of urokinase-induced fibrinolysis. There was no evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation in these patients, but certain coagulation factors in the peripheral blood were raised.

Amount and distribution pattern of soluble fibrin monomer complexes during the early puerperium

Soluble fibrin monomer complexes (SFMC) were determined in 12 patients following delivery, 2, 4, 6 days and 3 months post partum. Quantitative gel filtration (1 per cent agarose) of the beta-alanine-precipitated plasma samples yielded the relative (per cent of the total fibrinogen content) and absolute (milligrams per 100 ml. of plasma) amount of SFMC. During the early puerperium the amount of SFMC remained essentially constant, with average postpartum values of 6.3 +/- 1.2 per cent and 27.6 +/- 9.1 mg. per 100 ml. (mean and standard deviation). Three months after delivery the level of SFMC was significantly (p less than 0.001) decreased (3.3 +/- 1.3 per cent and 8.4 +/- 3.4 mg. per 100 ml.). The quantitative estimation of SFMC in the early puerperium as presented in this study indicates that a state of hypercoagulability can be evaluated by measuring the thrombin-mediated catabolic products of fibrinogen.

Circulating levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation fragment E in normal pregnancy, and in association with intrauterine growth retardation and perinatal asphyxia

Levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products have been measured by aspecific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for degradation fragment E (FgE) in pregnant patients. Maternal FgE levels rose from the 16th week reaching a plateau at the 36th week in normal pregnancy. There was no correlation between maternal FgE levels and maternal age, parity or the occurrence of perinatal asphyxia. A minority of patients (5 per cent) with evidence of intrauterine growth retardation showed prolonged elevation of FgE levels.

Reversal of hypercoagulable state by bilateral nephrectomy

The hypercoagulable state associated with select cases of glomerulonephritis is difficult to diagnose by standard laboratory techniques but is clinically manifested by recurrent shunt and fistula thrombosis which may be refractory to anticoagulant therapy. Bilateral nephrectomy reversed this hypercoagulable state. After renal allograft, however, the patient experienced hyperacute rejection, and transplant nephrectomy was required to cure the recurrent hypercoagulable state. The mechanism of this previously unreported phenomenon and its implications with regard to renal transplantation are discussed.

Monitoring the fetoplacental unit. The placenta

The non-steroidal tests available to determine the well-being of the fetoplacental unit are reviewed. The author's experience with measurements of human placental lactogen (HPL) is described in detail since this measurement has provided a great deal of new and useful information.