Maternal plasma P-selectin at 11 to 13 weeks of gestation in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

<bold>Objective: </bold>To determine if development of preeclampsia is preceded by altered maternal plasma P-selectin and if the levels are related with uterine artery pulsatility index. <bold>Methods: </bold>Plasma P-selectin and uterine artery pulsatility index were measured at 11-13 weeks in 121 cases that subsequently developed preeclampsia, 87 cases that developed gestational hypertension and 208 unaffected controls. <bold>Results: </bold>In the preeclampsia group the median multiple of the median in controls (MoM) P-selectin and uterine artery PI were significantly increased (1.2 MoM and 1.3 MoM). There was no significant association between P-selectin and uterine artery pulsatility index in either the preeclampsia or control group. <bold>Conclusion: </bold>In pregnancies that develop preeclampsia there is evidence of platelet activation from the first trimester. However, there is no direct link between the degree of impaired placentation and platelet activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]