Open AccessResponse to activated protein C decreases throughout pregnancy
Author(s) -
Benedetto Chiara,
Marozio Luca,
Tavella Anna Maria,
Maulà Vincenza,
Carmignani Daniela,
Curti Antonella
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2002.811106.x
Subject(s) - medicine , protein c , pregnancy , gestation , partial thromboplastin time , activated protein c resistance , anticoagulant , protein s , obstetrics , endocrinology , factor v leiden , coagulation , thrombosis , biology , venous thrombosis , genetics
Background. The possibility that changes in activated protein C anticoagulant activity may contribute to the hemostatic changes associated with pregnancy has been previously investigated, but the results of the studies are still controversial. Methods. Nine hundred and sixty‐one healthy nonpregnant and 711 normal pregnant women who were noncarriers of factor V Leiden at different weeks' gestation were included in a cross‐sectional trial. Moreover, the APC ratio was repeatedly measured in 45 women throughout pregnancy. The activated protein C ratio was tested using the modified activated partial thromboplastin time‐based assay. Results. A significantly lower APC ratio was observed at 20–28 and 32–38 ( p = 0.0001) weeks' gestation compared with nonpregnant values. The decrease in the APC ratio throughout pregnancy showed a significant trend ( p = 0.014). In none of the subjects did the APC ratio reach the cut‐off values for APC resistance. Conclusions. Our data confirm a reduction in the APC ratio throughout pregnancy. In our series, an APC ratio of less than 2.0 according to the cut‐off point of our laboratory).