Platelet reactivity and serum thromboxane B2 production in whole blood in gestational hypertension and pre‐eclampsia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the nature and extent of changes in platelet reactivity in gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia (using whole blood techniques which may be more physiological than those previously employed). DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SUBJECTS: 8 normal primigravidae, 16 women with gestational hypertension and 12 women with pre-eclampsia, studied at around 36 weeks gestation. RESULTS: Platelet reactivity (aggregation and release reaction) induced by stimulation with adrenaline was decreased in the pre-eclamptic group. Serum thromboxane B2 production was unchanged in both hypertensive groups compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of evidence of platelet activation in pre-eclampsia, our findings are interpreted as reflecting platelet exhaustion.