Relationship between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and the optical coherence tomographic features of chorioretina in patients with preeclampsia.

Jaekyoung Lee,Jin Gon Bae,Yu Cheol Kim,Alfred S Lewin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0261287

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between ophthalmologic factors and the serologic indicator soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1): placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio in patients with preeclampsia using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A). A total of 52 pregnant patients (104 eyes) diagnosed with preeclampsia were recruited during their hospital stay. The associations between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and chorioretinal measurements, including the choroidal thickness (CT), foveal avascular zone, vascular density, and ganglion cell layer+ were evaluated. Central and nasal subfield CT of the left eye (p = 0.039; p = 0.010) and nasal subfield CT of the right eye (p = 0.042) were lower in the high sFlt-1/PlGF ratio group (≥38). Pearson’s correlation test showed a negative correlation between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and central subfield CT; however, this was not statistically significant (p = 0.648). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and central subfield CT (β coefficient, -6.66; p = 0.01) and between sFlt-1 and central subfield CT (β coefficient, -5.65; p = 0.00). Thus, an increase in the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio resulted in a decrease in central subfield CT.

Highlights

Preeclampsia refers to the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation, and is a leading cause of prenatal and maternal mortality and morbidity, affecting 2–5% of pregnancies [1,2]
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) and fetal growth retardation were significantly higher in group 2 (p = 0.008, 0.025, and
The central subfield choroidal thickness (CT) showed a positive correlation with peak SBP (r = 0.035, p = 0.805), and a negative correlation with peak DBP (r = -0.056, p = 0.695); both were not statistically significant

Summary

Introduction

Preeclampsia refers to the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation, and is a leading cause of prenatal and maternal mortality and morbidity, affecting 2–5% of pregnancies [1,2]. The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is not fully understood, this condition is associated with abnormal placental perfusion resulting from the inadequate remodeling of maternal spiral arteries, causing increased systemic vascular resistance and endothelial dysfunction [3,4]. 40% of patients with preeclampsia complain of subjective visual symptoms, including decreased vision, visual field defects, and numerous ocular changes, including increased central corneal thickness and corneal curvature, decreased corneal sensitivity, and intraocular pressure [5,6,7]. Changes in blood-ocular barrier, choroidal thickness (CT), and circulation in preeclampsia occur [8,9,10].

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