Erythrocvte aggregabiljty in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the erythrocyte aggregability and blood admittance of normal pregnant women and preeclamptic patients. STUDY DESIGN: The aggregability and admittance of 78 samples were quantified by a new method based upon the blood dielectric properties. In addition, the concentration of plasma proteins, Na + and K+ levels and hematocrit (Met) were assessed. The effect of low molecular weight dextran on the aggregability was examined. RESULTS: There were altered aggregability and blood admittance in both normal pregnancy and preeclamptic women compared with the control group. These changes rise with the duration of pregnancy and do not depend on variations in Hct and plasma composition (i.e., fibrinogen, albumin sodium and potassium levels). The aggregability and admittance of blood of normal pregnant women differ from these parameters in preeclampsia. The addition of low molecular weight dextran to blood samples partially reverts changes in the aggregability and blood admittance. The aggregability reaches nearly normal value when dextran concentration is lower than that used in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Erythrocyte aggregability and the blood admittance correlate with the duration of pregnancy. These indices for normal and preeclamptic women are different. The addition of low molecular weight dextran reverts aggregability up to nearly normal values. This finding suggests a way to correct in vitro aggregability in preeclampsia.