Thromb Haemost 1999; 81(01): 32-34
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1614413
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Thrombomodulin: A New Marker for Placental Abruption

Authors

  • Urania Magriples

    1   From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Daniel W. Chan

    1   From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Debra Bruzek

    1   From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Joshua A. Copel

    1   From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Chaur-Dong Hsu

    1   From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Received05 June 1998

Accepted after resubmission18 September 1998

Publication Date:
08 December 2017 (online)

Summary

Thrombomodulin (TM), a marker of endothelial cell damage, has been localized to the placental syncytiotrophoblast. A prospective cohort study of twenty-five pregnant women who were admitted with a clinical diagnosis of placental abruption was undertaken. Abruption was confirmed after delivery in eight cases (Group 1). Group 2 consisted of seventeen patients with no clinical or pathologic evidence of placental abruption after delivery. TM was significantly elevated in Group 1 (71.59 ± 5.35 vs. 48.29 ± 3.53 ng/ml, p = 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of TM ≥60 ng/ml as a marker for abruption was 87.5 and 76.5%, respectively. In comparison, the sensitivity of an abnormal coagulation profile, maternal Kleihauer-Betke and ultrasound in patients with abruption was 0, 16.7 and 28.6%, respectively. TM is a highly sensitive and specific marker for acute placental abruption.