A prospective longitudinal study on rotation thromboelastometry in women with uncomplicated pregnancies and postpartum.

BACKGROUND: Rotation thromboelastometry (ROTEM) is an easy, fast and complete method of measuring coagulation. AIMS: Our goal was to obtain longitudinal values on ROTEM in uncomplicated pregnancies and in the puerperium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy women, who visited our outpatient clinic for antenatal checks and who accomplished an uncomplicated pregnancy were tested three times during pregnancy and one time postpartum. Intrinsic and extrinsic pathway tests were carried out. RESULTS: In total, 62 women were analysed, and 298 measurements were taken. With increasing gestational age, there are significant changes towards hypercoagulability. CONCLUSION: This study provides a better knowledge about physiological changes in ROTEM measurements during pregnancy. These normative data may serve as assistance for future studies and interventions.