Abstract: PE is heterogeneous type of disease, profoundly defined by existence of hypertension and proteinuria, mostly after 20 weeks of gestations. It was reported that placental dysfunction due to PE manifests into alteration of circulating pro-angiogenic or anti-angiogenic mediators, such as placental growth factor (PlGF), and the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor-1 (sFlt-1). We assessed the importance of sFlt-1/PlGF as a predictive marker for early-onset PE in women at risk of PE with a hypothesis that sFlt-1/PlGF ratio can improve prediction of early-onset PE for women at risk of this condition. Seventy patients were included in the study over period of 10 months with age range 24-42 years. Blood sample were analyzed for serum sFlt-1 and PlGF concentrations and to calculate the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio measured using electro-chemiluminescence (ECL) Elecsys immunoassay technology on a Roche Diagnostics Cobas e411 system (Roche Diagnostics, Basil). sFlt-1 and PlGF manifest different ranges for various gestational week and provided as per manufacturer advise with scientific reference. sFlt-1:PlGF ratio greater than (>) 85.50 is indicator of pre-eclampsia inclusion. Pre-eclampsia was noted in 2 patients with gestational weeks 15-20 whereas in gestational week 21-25, 2 out of 6 in pre-eclampsia group showed sFlt-1:PlGF ratio > 85.40. In gestational weeks 26-31 and 32-37, 3 out of 7 and 4 out 8 in pre-eclampsia group showed sFlt-1:PlGF ratio > 85.50, respectively. Sum of sFlt-1:PlGF ratio in group of pre-eclampsia was calculated as 55.60±10.15 whereas in non-pre-eclampsia it was 20.35±3.4. We determined the diagnostic importance of sFlt-1:PlGF ratio as a predictive marker for early-onset PE in women at risk of PE. Furthermore, it was noted that sFlt-1/PlGF ratio manifestation above > 85.5 can improve prediction of early-onset PE for women at risk of this condition.
Keywords: pre-eclampsia, placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor-1 (sFlt-1).