Placental angiogenic growth factors and uterine artery Doppler findings for characterization of different subsets in preeclampsia and in isolated intrauterine growth restriction.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible relationships between placental markers and endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted in 76 patients with preeclampsia and 37 patients with intrauterine growth restriction that were classified as early onset (<34 weeks of gestational age) or late onset, and 40 control subjects. Plasma levels of placental growth factor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and uterine artery Doppler indices were measured.


RESULTS
In early-onset preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, placental growth factor was lower and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 higher than in control subjects, although all changes were more pronounced in preeclampsia. In late-onset preeclampsia, those patients with abnormal uterine artery Doppler indices had higher soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Biochemical changes in early-onset preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction point to a common placental disorder and a state of endothelial dysfunction, which may require interaction with other factors to explain the maternal disease in preeclampsia. Data in late-onset preeclampsia suggest that a proportion of them may occur with minimal placental involvement.
Department of Obstetrics, Fetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain..
Fàtima
F
Crispi
Carmen
C
Domínguez
Elisa
E
Llurba
Pilar
P
Martín-Gallán
Luís
L
Cabero
Eduard
E
Gratacós
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood*
C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1