The role of periodic measurement of sFlt-1 and PlGF in predicting the remaining pregnancy duration in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore whether one-time or periodic measurement of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) could contribute to the prediction of the remaining pregnancy duration in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Study designIn this retrospective study, we enrolled pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who were admitted to our hospital due to a new rise in blood pressure at or after 20 weeks of gestation or because of worsening chronic hypertension (CH). Main outcome measuresThe concentrations of sFlt-1 and PlGF, as well as the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, were measured only on admission or on admission and every week until delivery. The effect of these concentrations was correlated with the remaining pregnancy duration. ResultsIn this study, we enrolled 32 pregnant women: 13 were diagnosed with preeclampsia (PE), 9 with gestational hypertension (GH), and 10 with CH on admission. In the PE group, the concentration of sFlt-1 on admission had a significant negative correlation with the remaining pregnancy duration (R = -0.61, P = 0.03). In three women with PE, the concentrations were measured periodically, with increasing sFlt-1 concentrations. Among the pregnant women with CH on admission, two developed superimposed PE and their measured concentrations of sFlt-1 periodically increased. ConclusionsOnly the concentration of sFlt-1 on admission in the PE group was associated with the remaining pregnancy duration. The concentrations of sFlt-1 in PE cases periodically measured increased towards delivery. Pregnant women with CH could develop sPE if the sFlt-1 value measured periodically increase.