The thrombelastograph (TEG) and bleeding time were performed before and 6 h after a single oral dose of aspirin 600 mg in a group of eight healthy volunteers and 12 pregnant patients. Measured TEG variables (r, k, r+k times and maximum amplitude) were unaltered after aspirin although there was a significant prolongation of the bleeding time in both groups. Although the TEG appeared not to detect aspirin-induced changes in platelet function, the TEG measures all phases of coagulation and the unaltered TEG after aspirin suggested a functioning coagulation system.

Objective To assess maternal middle cerebral artery flow velocity patterns as measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) in eclampsia and to investigate the effect of the anticonvulsants magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) and phenytoin on cerebral circulation. Design Prospective randomised study. Setting High care obstetric unit, King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa. Participants Twenty‐four eclamptic patients: 13 received MgSO, and 11 phenytoin. Intervention Middle cerebral artery flow velocity waveforms were measured using 2 MHz pulsed Doppler ultrasound via the transtemporal approach in eclamptic patients, before and 15 minutes after the loading dose of anticonvulsant. Results Magnesium sulphate significantly reduced the pulsatility index (P= 0.002) and mean flow velocity (P= 0.02) in the middle cerebral artery, whereas phenytoin failed to produce any statistically significant effect. However, differences between groups were not statistically significant. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced in both the MgSO, and phenytoin groups. Conclusion These findings provide firm evidence that MgSO, relieves cerebral vasospasm, compared with phenytoin, and may therefore be the better drug for the prevention of eclamptic convulsion.

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There is a strong association between alpha-hCG and preeclampsia, nevertheless this test is unsuitable for predicting preeclampsia.

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