Open AccessPregnancy at high altitude: a hyperviscosity state
Author(s) -
Kametas Nikos A.,
Krampl Elisabeth,
McAuliffe Fionnuala,
Rampling Michael W.,
Nicolaides Kypros H.
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2004.00434.x
Subject(s) - hematocrit , blood viscosity , fibrinogen , medicine , hyperviscosity , pregnancy , albumin , effects of high altitude on humans , hemorheology , endocrinology , preeclampsia , altitude (triangle) , gestation , biology , anatomy , genetics , geometry , mathematics
Background. Pregnancy at high altitude has been associated with intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia. These conditions, at sea level, have been linked to increased hematocrit and blood viscosity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high altitude on maternal hemorheology. Methods. This was a cross‐sectional study. We examined 94 pregnant women at 10–38 weeks of gestation resident at high altitude (4370 m above sea level) and 75 at sea level, and 24 and 17 nonpregnant women at each altitude, respectively. Blood and plasma viscosity, hematocrit, plasma fibrinogen, albumin and total protein concentrations were determined in blood samples obtained after an overnight period of fasting. Results. Pregnancy at high altitude, compared to sea level, is characterized by higher hematocrit, blood viscosity (at high shear rate), plasma viscosity, total protein and fibrinogen concentrations (25%, 38%, 7%, 13.3% and 25%, respectively) and 6% lower albumin concentration. Nonpregnant women at high altitude, compared to sea level, had higher hematocrits, blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, total protein and fibrinogen concentrations (25%, 55%, 18%, 26% and 98%, respectively) and 13% lower albumin concentration. Conclusion. Pregnancy at high altitude compared to sea level is characterized by increased blood viscosity as a result of increased hematocrit and plasma viscosity.