Objective: To determine the role of the fibrinolytic and antifibrinolytic systems in HELLP syndrome.
Methods: This study consisted of patients with HELLP Syndrome (study group, n = 17), women who were admitted for routine prenatal care (pregnant control group, n = 21) and those presenting for routine gynecologic examination (non-pregnant control group, n = 21). Plasma tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and thrombomodulin (TM) were measured at admission for all groups. They were again measured after 7 days of biochemical improvement in HELLP Syndrome group.
Results: The mean ages of women in the study, pregnant, and non-pregnant control groups were 29.82 ± 4.98, 29.71 ± 5.64, and 27.60 ± 4.21, respectively. Demographically, the patients in all three groups were similar with regard to maternal age, race, and body mass index. Compared to the control groups, the mean tPA, PAI-1, TAFI, TAT, and TM levels were significantly increased in HELLP Syndrome. The mean plasma TAFI antigen concentration 7 days after delivery was significantly lower compared to the baseline (5.84 ± 7.14 % change, p < 0.01). Significant decreases in the mean plasma concentrations were also found in tPA (21.78 ± 20.93 ng/mL mean difference, p < 0.01), PAI-1 (14.22 ± 10.38 ng/mL mean difference, p < 0.001), TAT (0.93 ± 1.19 ng/mL mean difference, p < 0.01), and TM (0.54 ± 0.94 ng/mL mean difference, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: It is likely that the impaired fibrinolytic and antifibrinolytic systems, in response to thrombus formation, affect the pathophysiology of HELLP syndrome.