Thromboelastographic changes in healthy parturients and postpartum women

Anesth Analg. 1997 Jul;85(1):94-8. doi: 10.1097/00000539-199707000-00017.

Abstract

Thromboelastography (TEG) using disposable plastic cups and pins was performed with native whole blood (native group) in 17 nonpregnant volunteers, 134 healthy term pregnant women (>36 wk gestation), and 69 postpartum women. Thromboelastography was also performed with celite-activated whole blood (celite group) in 15 nonpregnant female volunteers, 38 healthy term pregnant women, and 34 postpartum women. The thromboelastographic parameters r and K were significantly decreased in pregnant and postpartum women compared with nonpregnant women in both groups (P < 0.05). The maximum amplitude MA, elastic shear modulus, and alpha angles were significantly increased in pregnant and postpartum women compared with nonpregnant women in both groups (P < 0.05). The TEG coagulation index was significantly greater in pregnant and postpartum women compared with nonpregnant women in both groups. In this study, TEG showed that pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state and that postpartum women remain hypercoagulable through the first 24 h postdelivery. The use of celite in TEG accelerated the speed of TEG analysis.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Coagulation
  • Female
  • Hematocrit
  • Humans
  • Platelet Count
  • Postpartum Period / blood*
  • Pregnancy / blood*
  • Reference Values
  • Thrombelastography*