Longitudinal serum levels of Placental Growth Factor and sFlt-1 throughout gestation in normotensive pregnancies and those complicated by hypertensive disorders

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) prevalence is higher in women with chronic hypertension (CH). Predictive markers for PE in this group could be particularly important. We aimed to evaluate serum levels of PlGF and sFlt-1 throughout pregnancies complicated by isolated PE, CH and PE superimposed on CH (PE+CH) compared to normotensive (NT) pregnancies. Methods: Peripheral blood samples have been collected from NT and CH pregnancies at gestational ages of 20, 26, 32 and 36 weeks and stored to be assayed by ELISA. This study was approved by local Ethics Committee. To date, samples have been partially assayed. Results: Levels of sFlt-1 increased throughout pregnancy in all groups. Levels of PlGF increased until 32 weeks in pregnancies not complicated by PE (NT and CH) and until 26 weeks in those complicated by PE (PE and PE+HC), thereafter PlGF levels decreased in all groups. Conclusions: preliminary data, still too short for statistical testing.