Circulating levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation fragment E measured by radioimmunoassay in pre-eclampsia.

Levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products have been measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay in pregnancies associated with pre-eclampsia or essential hypertension. The incidence of elevated levels was low (2-4%) in mild and moderate cases, and rather higher (30%) in severe cases. In no patients were the levels consistently elevated prior to the onset of clinical signs.