PREECLAMPSIA IS ASSOCIATED WITH A REDUCED RESPONSE TO ACTIVATED PROTEIN-C

OBJECTIVE: Resistance to activated protein C is an inherited mutation of the coagulation factor V gene, a major factor predisposing to throm boembolic events. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occ urrence of heterozygote and homozygote activated protein C resistance in women with preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Activated protein C resistan ce and protein C and antithrombin III levels were determined in women (n = 50) with a history of preeclampsia and in controls (50 women with a previous normal pregnancy). The mutation of the factor V gene was a nalyzed. RESULTS: Activated protein C resistance was found in 22% of w omen with previous preeclampsia compared with 10% among controls. Two women in the previous preeclampsia group had a homozygote mutation of factor V; the others were heterozygous. There was a significant differ ence in the activated protein C ratio between women with previous pree clampsia and the control group, 2.6 +/- 0.4 versus 3.1 +/- 0.5 (p = 0. 04). None of the women had protein C or antithrombin III deficiency. C ONCLUSION: The results indicate that activated protein C resistance ma y be a contributory factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.