Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor are elevated in patients with ectopic pregnancy: is this a novel marker?
OBJECTIVE
To determine serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and evaluate their capacity to serve as a marker for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy (EP).


METHODS
Prospective, case-controlled study.


METHODS
A tertiary care center.


METHODS
Twenty women with EP, 10 women with normal intrauterine pregnancy, and 10 women with abnormal intrauterine pregnancy, all at comparable stages of gestation.


METHODS
Serum samples were obtained from all women.


METHODS
All samples were analyzed for VEGF, progesterone, and beta-hCG by specific methods.


RESULTS
Women with EP had higher serum levels of VEGF than women with normal intrauterine pregnancy and women with abnormal intrauterine pregnancy (median levels, 226.8 pg/mL, 24.4 pg/mL, and 59.4 pg/mL, respectively). With a cutoff level of 200 pg/mL, serum VEGF could distinguish intrauterine from extrauterine pregnancy with a sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 90%, and positive predictive value of 86%.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased serum VEGF levels in women with EP may facilitate this challenging diagnosis and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.
Daniel
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
Geva
E
E
Lerner-Geva
L
L
Eshed-Englender
T
T
Gamzu
R
R
Lessing
J B
JB
Bar-Am
A
A
Amit
A
A
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D011374:Progesterone