Epidural analgesia in a preeclamptic parturient after normalization of a prolonged bleeding time with DDAVP.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Despite several advantages to the use of epidural analgesia for the management of labor pain in preeclamptic parturients, this procedure is withheld from many such patients owing to associated thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction.

METHODS

A preeclamptic parturient with mild thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction manifested by a prolonged bleeding time received intravenous DDAVP (0.3 microgram/kg) in an attempt to correct her coagulation abnormality.

RESULTS

The patient's bleeding time was normalized with DDAVP administration, allowing her to receive epidural analgesia.

CONCLUSIONS

Preeclampsia-induced platelet dysfunction might be corrected with DDAVP: A controlled study is required before its routine use can be advocated.