COAGULATION STUDIES IN PATIENTS WITH MARKED THROMBOCYTOPENIA DUE TO SEVERE PREECLAMPSIA

From July 1, 1990, to July 1, 1993, we analyzed the results of fibrino gen levels, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time in patie nts with severe preeclampsia, at least one platelet count less than 10 0,000/mu L, and no signs of abruption or hemorrhage. Analysis was by P earson's correlation coefficient and Wald's sequential analysis. We an alyzed 162 blood collections from 48 patients. There was no correlatio n between the level of thrombocytopenia and the levels of prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, or fibrinogen. None of the samples from any of the preeclamptic patients demonstrated an abnormal prothro mbin time or partial thromboplastin time.