Whole-Blood Capillary Tube Clotting Time as a Possible Predictor of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are associated with coagulation abnormalities. However, results of standard coagulation tests in patients with HDP have been inconsistent. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine mean clotting time (CT) in subjects with HDP attending antenatal clinic at Murtala Muhammad specialist Hospital Kano, Nigeria and to assess CT as a possible predictor of HDP. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four HDP subjects and equal number of normotensive pregnant women were recruited for the study. Blood pressure was measured according to standard protocol. Urinalysis was performed using urine test strips (Medi-Test Combi 9®). Whole-blood CT was determined using capillary tube method. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy were defined according to the report of National high blood pressure education program working group on high blood pressure in pregnancy. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square test of association and independent t test were used to determine association and difference between categorical and quantitative variables respectively. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine relationship between quantitative variables.