PLATELET ACTIVATION AND VASCULAR DAMAGE IN GESTATIONAL HYPERTENSION

Increased plasma fibronectin levels are a highly sensitive and specific predictor of gestational hypertension. Of a total of 105 apparently healthy normotensive primigravid women seen at the outpatient clinic, 10 with increased plasma levels of fibronectin (mean +/- 2 SD), were compared with 14 controls. Parameters of early vascular damage (laminin, preprocollagen III), platelet activation (beta-thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4), and coagulation (thrombin-antithrombin III complexes, fibrinopeptide A) were measured at regular (weekly or monthly) intervals. Abnormal values of laminin (p < 0.005) and fibronectin (p < 0.0001) were found up to 4 weeks before the onset of clinical disease. Levels of beta-thromboglobulin (p < 0.0001) were also elevated at least 4 weeks before the appearance of clinical symptoms. Our results show that increased levels of laminin, fibronectin, and platelet activation, as indicated by beta-thromboglobulin levels, are preclinical features of gestational hypertension and indicate that vascular damage has occurred. Fibrin formation would appear to occur later.