Download PDF
Am J Perinatol 1988; 5(1): 70-73
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999658
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1988 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Fibrinopeptide a During Normal Pregnancy

Roberto Romero1 , Frederick R. Rickles4 , Eileen Matthews4 , David Scott2 , Claudia Dinan3 , Thomas Duffy3
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
  • 3Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
  • 4Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut and The Veterans Administration Medical Center, Newington, Connecticut
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

Fibrinopeptide A (FPA) is the first peptide released from fibrinogen upon thrombin action. Plasma FPA is cleared rapidly with a first order kinetics and therefore its level reflects the rate of thrombin cleavage of fibrinogen. A prospective study was undertaken to establish normal values of FPA during pregnancy. The mean FPA for the pregnant group (n = 136) was 2.8 ng/ml (SD = 3.3) while it was 1.24 ng/ml (SD = 0.4) for a nonpregnant control group of healthy women (n = 30). The median FPA for the pregnant group was 2.2 ng/ml and 1.4 ng/ml for the nonpregnant group (Wilcoxon test P < 0.0001). Plasma FPA levels increased with gestational age. The median value was 1.5 ng/ml in the first trimester (n = 18), 1.8 ng/ml in the second trimester (n = 40), and 2.5 ng/ml in the third trimester (n = 78). Plasma FPA concentrations in the third trimester were significantly higher than in the first and second trimester. These findings suggest increased thrombin activity and fibrin generation during the course of normal pregnancy.

      >