Summary
Activated protein C (APC) resistance secondary to Factor V Leiden (FVL) is associated
with pregnancy failure and pre-eclampsia (PET). In non-pregnant subjects, the degree
of resistance to APC relates to venous thrombosis risk. In pregnancy, resistance to
APC occurs in the absence of FVL. We investigated, in an unselected prospective longitudinal
study of 1671 pregnant, non-FVL subjects, the relationship of the APC sensitivity
ratio (APC:SR) with demographic variables and pregnancy outcome.
Lower APC:SR values at 7-16 weeks gestation were observed in subjects who subsequently
developed PET (median APC:SR 2.55, IQR 2.29-2.70 vs 2.69, IQR 2.48-2.93, Mann-Whitney
U-test p = 0.003) in the current pregnancy. An APC:SR < the median (2.69) at 7-16
weeks was associated with a 2.95-fold increased risk (CI95 1.2-7.4) of PET in the current pregnancy. No relationship between the APC:SR, at
any gestation, and fetal loss was observed. An inverse correlation between the APC:SR
and birth weight was noted. Higher APC:SRs were observed in blood group O subjects
and smokers. An inverse relationship of the APC:SR with age, diastolic blood pressure
and total serum cholesterol was observed.
Keywords
APC resistance - pregnancy - pre-eclampsia