Assessment of Some Haemostatic Indices Among Hypertensive Pregnant Women Attending University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension, are leading contributors to maternal and foetal complications. These conditions are associated with significant haemostatic alterations, which predispose affected women to thrombotic risks. Haemostasis involves a balance between clot formation and breakdown, and disruptions in this balance, often seen in hypertensive pregnancies, may increase the likelihood of thrombotic events such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. The aim of this study was to assess haemostatic alterations in hypertensive pregnant women and evaluate the implications for thrombotic risks. This cross-sectional study was conducted to access haemostatic parameters among hypertensive pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. A total of 150 pregnant women were recruited, they comprised 75 hypertensive pregnant women and 75 normotensive who served as control, all within the ages of 18 and 43 years. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic data from the pregnant women. Three ml of venous blood was collected aseptically from the participants to assess haemostatic variables and dispensed into 0.3 ml of trisodium citrate anticoagulant bottle for estimation of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, giving a blood to anticoagulant ratio of 9:1. The prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time was done manually. The data generated from this study was analyzed using Graphpad Prism software version 6.00, USA. Data was presented as means and standard deviation and comparison between two means was done using student t-test analysis. Among the 75 hypertensive women studied, 27 (36%) were classified as having stage 1 hypertension and 48 (64%) as stage 2 hypertension. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure status of women in the hypertensive group was significantly higher than those women in the normotensive control group (p<0.001). The mean prothrombin time (PT) and mean thromboplastin time (APPT) among hypertensive women were 8.53±0.68 and 33.3±0.83 respectively, and this did not differ significantly among normotensive controls. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APPT) did not correlate significantly with severity of hypertension. The study revealed that hypertensive pregnant women exhibit haemostatic alterations that can potentially predispose them to a higher risk of thrombotic events. These findings underscore the need for regular haemostatic monitoring and early interventions to mitigate thrombotic risks in hypertensive pregnancies in Port Harcourt.