Maternal plasma D-dimer levels in normal and complicated pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate D-dimer as a marker for fibrinolysis in normal and complicated pregnancies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.

METHODS

Four groups of pregnant women were enrolled: 17 normal women followed longitudinally from 28-40 weeks' gestation, 14 patients with preterm labor at 28-34 weeks, 17 patients with preeclampsia at term (37-40 weeks), and 14 patients with abruptio placentae (32-40 weeks). We assayed peripheral venous blood samples from each patient for D-dimer levels using a commercial ELISA kit. D-dimer values were calculated by regression analysis using internal standards and controls for each assay. Data were compared using Student t test or analysis of variance with repeated measures.

RESULTS

D-dimer values increased slightly with increasing gestational age. Patients with preterm labor, preeclampsia, and abruptio placentae had mean D-dimer values significantly greater than those of controls (P < .003). D-dimer values of the abruption group were approximately twice those of the control group (3393 +/- 2086 versus 1750 +/- 839 ng/dL).

CONCLUSION

An increase in fibrinolysis may be associated with the pregnancy complications studied, as reflected by alterations in maternal plasma D-dimer levels.