Blood coagulation changes during mid-trimester abortion induced by prostaglandin F2 alpha.

Serial studies on the coagulation system were made during second-trimester abortion induced by extra-amniotic, intra-amniotic, vaginal, and intravenous prostaglandin F(2)alpha. No significant changes were found in the prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, or levels of fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products. An increase in the activity of factor X occurred with all routes of administration; the activity of factor VIII increased during extra-amniotic, vaginal, and intravenous administration; factor V activity increased during extra-amniotic and vaginal administration; and the activity of factor VII-X complex increased slightly at the time of abortion with all methods.The findings suggest that though prostaglandin induction of second-trimester abortion produces changes in the coagulation system the effects are much less than those which accompany induction of abortion by hypertonic saline or abdominal delivery in late pregnancy.