Browsing by Author "Isaacs, R."

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    Mutations in prothrombin and factor V genes do not contribute significantly to placental vasculopathy in a high-risk patient cohort in South Africa
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2002) Hillermann, R.; Gebhardt, G. S.; Isaacs, R.; Steyn, D. W.; Odendaal, H. J.
    During normal pregnancy there are dramatic changes in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. There is deposition of fibrin in the uteroplacental walls and fibrinolysis is suppressed. An increase in levels of clotting factors VII, VIII and X and a doubling in the levels of fibrinogen are observed. The end result is the well-described hypercoagulability of pregnancy, protecting the mother against blood loss at delivery, but also predisposing her to possible thrombotic complications. Naturally occurring anticoagulants including antithrombin III and the protein C-thrombomodulin-protein S complex protect against generalised thrombosis. Protein C (with its co-factors protein S and thrombomodulin) inactivates factors V and VIII. Abnormal forms of factor V, such as those arising from DNA mutation, resist such inactivation and thrombosis can result.