What is Tissue Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor?
Tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) plays an important role in blood clotting. During pregnancy, levels of PAI rise, but levels return to normal quickly after birth. The PAI test is run as part of a series of tests designed to give a physician a complete look at the clotting process and system.
If levels are lower than normal, the patient could experience excessive bleeding as clots may not form adequately or fast enough to prevent bleeding. If levels are higher than normal, patients are more likely to suffer thrombosis or excessive clotting that can lead to death.
Conditions such as liver disease, septic shock, coronary heart disease, and obesity can alter levels of PAI in the blood.
Normal Value Range
- Negative Pregnancy Adult: 4 to 43 ng/mL
- Pregnancy Trimester One: 16 to 33 ng/mL
- Pregnancy Trimester Two: 36 to 55 ng/mL
- Pregnancy Trimester Three: 67 to 92 ng/mL