Open AccessThe Effect of Magnesium on Coagulation in Parturients with Preeclampsia
Author(s) -
Miriam Harnett,
Sanjay Datta,
Kodali Bhavani-Shankar
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
anesthesia and analgesia/anesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.404
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1526-7598
pISSN - 0003-2999
DOI - 10.1097/00000539-200105000-00033
Subject(s) - medicine , magnesium , thromboelastography , preeclampsia , coagulation , bolus (digestion) , eclampsia , anesthesia , coagulation testing , platelet , anticoagulant , surgery , pregnancy , materials science , genetics , biology , metallurgy
Preeclampsia is associated with complex coagulation abnormalities that include altered platelet function and consumption and activation of the fibrinolytic system. Magnesium sulfate, which is used as a therapeutic modality for the prevention of seizures in preeclamptic parturients, has anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects. We sought to determine the effects of magnesium on various components of the coagulation system in patients with preeclampsia. We assessed the coagulation status of 18 parturients with preeclampsia being treated with magnesium. The assessment was performed with the thromboelastograph test, which provides an overall assessment of blood coagulation via the coagulation index. Thromboelastography was performed before beginning magnesium therapy and 30 min and 2 h after a 6-g bolus of IV magnesium. The R value (time to first clot formation) was found to be significantly slower (P < 0.05) at 30 min after the magnesium bolus. This result suggests increased coagulant factor activity resulting from the magnesium bolus. However, there was no effect of magnesium on the overall coagulation, as evidenced by the lack of change in the coagulation index either at 30 min or at 2 h after the completion of the initial magnesium bolus. Therefore, this therapy should have no effect on the use of neuraxial techniques.