[Predictive value of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 for preeclampsia in second-trimester].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the predictive value of plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1, also known as sFlt-1) in second-trimester for preeclampsia.


METHODS
One hundred and forty-six pregnant women with normal blood pressure previously were prospectively included in the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained between 20 and 26 gestational weeks. Plasma levels of sFlt-1 were measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay.


RESULTS
(1) Among 146 previously normotensive women, 12 developed preeclampsia (preeclampsia group), 134 remained normal pregnant till the end (normal group). (2) The plasma levels of sFlt-1 in preeclampsia group [(4135 +/- 699) ng/L] was significantly higher than that in normal group [(1490 +/- 1033) ng/L] (P<0.01). The increase in sFlt-1 occurred approximately 10 weeks before the diagnosis of preeclampsia. (3) The best cut-off values for preeclampsia of sFlt-1 was 3344 ng/L, the area under the curve was 0.981, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of sFlt-1 in predicting preeclampsia were 100%, 96%, 67%, and 100%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The maternal plasma levels of sFlt-1 in women with preeclampsia are higher than that in normal pregnant women and may be used as an earlier predictor for identification of patients at risk for preeclampsia.
Chen
Qian
Q
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xiehe Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
Zhao
Yun
Y
Zou
Li
L
Wang
Ze-hua
ZH
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1