EPIDURAL ANALGESIA IN A PREECLAMPTIC PARTURIENT AFTER NORMALIZATION OF A PROLONGED BLEEDING-TIME WITH DDAVP

Background and Objectives. Despite several advantages to the use of ep idural analgesia for the management of labor pain in preeclamptic part urients, this procedure is withheld from many such patients owing to a ssociated thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction. Methods. A preecl amptic parturient with mild thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction manifested by a prolonged bleeding time received intravenous DDAVP (0. 3 mu g/kg) in an attempt to correct her coagulation abnormality. Resul ts. The patient's bleeding time was normalized with DDAVP administrati on, allowing her to receive epidural analgesia. Conclusions. Preeclamp sia-induced platelet dysfunction might be corrected with DDAVP. A cont rolled study is required before its routine use can be advocated.