Platelets and Platelet Behaviour in Normal and Hypertensive Pregnancy

Abstract

There has been a recent resurgence in interest in platelets in normal and hypertensive pregnancy, which can be explained in two ways. First, platelets have been implicated in the aetiology of pre-eclampsia, and continuing study in this area may well further our understanding of this enigmatic condition. Second, the discovery that pharmacological intervention which interferes with platelet behaviour appears to offer hope of prophylaxis and maybe even treatment in the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, has prompted a re-evaluation of the underlying physiology and pathophysiology. In either case, physicians with an interest in pre-eclampsia would be well served by a working knowledge of platelet behaviour in normal and abnormal pregnancy. This forms a background against which the therapeutics of anti-platelet treatment may be considered.