The use of platelet density and volume measurements to estimate the severity of pre-eclampsia

Citation
P. Jaremo et al., The use of platelet density and volume measurements to estimate the severity of pre-eclampsia, EUR J CL IN, 30(12), 2000, pp. 1113-1118
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Research/Laboratory Medicine & Medical Tecnology","Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
ISSN journal
00142972 → ACNP
Volume
30
Issue
12
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1113 - 1118
Database
ISI
SICI code
0014-2972(200012)30:12<1113:TUOPDA>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
Background This study evaluated whether it is possible to estimate the seve rity of pre-eclampsia through in vitro measurements of platelet and granulo cyte parameters. Experimental protocol Eighteen pre-eclamptic women in the third-trimester o f pregnancy and 11 women in the third-trimester of normal pregnancies were included in the study. Three to 12 months after delivery, 15 patients with pre-eclampsia and all the subjects with normal pregnancies were re-examined . Before delivery, peak platelet density was determined using a specially d esigned apparatus. Before and 3-12 months after delivery the following were measured: platelet counts, mean platelet volume and neutrophil and monocyt e counts. Furthermore, circulating P-selectin, interleukin-6 and myeloperox idase were determined to estimate platelet, monocyte and granulocyte activi ties, respectively. Results Compared to their results after delivery, pre-eclamptic females dem onstrated lower platelet counts (P < 0.001) and raised mean platelet volume s (P < 0.01). Both pre-eclamptic women (P < 0.01) and normal pregnancies (P < 0.05) demonstrated elevated soluble P-selectin at pregnancy. Then pre-ec lamptic women had advanced neutrophil counts (P < 0.01) but normal pregnanc ies showed a similar phenomenon (P < 0.001). Interleukin-6 remained normal during pregnancy. Plasma myeloperoxidase levels were lower both in pre-ecla mpsia (P < 0.05) and in normal pregnancies (P < 0.001). In pre-eclampsia el evated blood pressure was related to higher mean platelet volumes (P < 0.05 ). Furthermore, a group of pre-eclamptic females whose platelets had distur bed density distribution displayed elevated mean platelet volumes (P < 0.01 ). Conclusions The present work demonstrates considerable platelet alterations in pre-eclampsia. We failed to show granulocyte involvement in the pathoge nesis of the disease. Severe pre-eclampsia is related to elevated mean plat elet volumes. The latter parameter is associated with disturbed density dis tribution. It appears possible to estimate disease severity from measuremen ts of platelet density and volume.