Fibrinolysis parameters in Sudanese women with severe preeclampsia

ABSTRACT

Background: Although preeclampsia remains a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, its pathogenesis is not fully understood. Coagulation and fibrinolysis changes were suggested to have a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Objectives: A case-control study was conducted in Medani Hospital, Sudan, to investigate thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) and plasminogen-activated inhibitor (PAI) in women with severe preeclampsia. Obstetrics and medical history was gathered using questionnaire. TAFI, PAI-1, and PAI-2 levels were measured using ELISA. Results: In comparison with the controls, women with severe preeclampsia had significantly higher levels [mean (SD)] of TAFI [3.4 (1.1) vs. 3.0(0.7) ng/ml, P = 0.019], PAI-1 [3.2 (1.3) vs. 2.5(1.0), IU/ml, P = 0.001], and significantly lower PAI-2 level [4.2(1.3) vs. 5.8(2.6) ng/ml, P < 0.001]. In linear regression, severe preeclampsia was significantly associated with TAFI (0.408 ng/ml, P = 0.038), PAI-1 (0.722, IU/ml P = 0.003), and PAI-2 (−1.745, ng/ml, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The current study revealed a significant increase level of TAFI and PAI-1, coupled with a decrease in PAI-2 in women with severe preeclampsia in comparison with the control group.

KEYWORDS:

• Preeclampsia
• plasminogen
• thrombin
• fibrinolysis
• pregnancy
• Sudan

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the women who were involved in the study and the midwives and the nursing staff of Medani Hospital.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Funding

None of the authors received any fund