Soluble Fibrinogen-Fibrin Complexes in Obstetrical Conditions

Soluble fibrinogen-fibrin complexes isolated by 6% agarose gel filtration (Bio-Gel A5m), were identified by the staphylococcal clumping test for the void volume polymers and radial immunodiffusion for the lower molecular weight oligomers. Women taking the oral contraceptive pill had significantly increased oligomer levels compared to non-pill controls;whilst in normal pregnancy there were small increases in both polymer and oligomer concentrations. In pre-eclampsia a marked increase in both types of soluble complex was found. This did not simply reflect the combination of hypertension and pregnancy, as soluble complex levels in pregnant women with essential hypertension did not differ from those in normal pregnancy. In pregnancies with intrauterine growth retardation there was also a small but significant increase in oligomer concentration compared with normal pregnancy.While these results may simply reflect differing degrees of hypercoagulability, they could suggest increased local intravascular coagulation within the placenta in intrauterine growth retardation and disseminated intravascular coagulation in pre-eclampsia.