title: [Use of angiogenic factors (sFlt-1/PlGF ratio) to confirm the diagnosis of preeclampsia in clinical routine: first experience].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the clinical routine, the diagnosis of preeclampsia is often challenging. Not all pregnant women with signs and symptoms of preeclampsia develop the disease. Recently, the assessment of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in the serum of pregnant women has been proposed as an aid in the diagnosis of preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective, monocentric case-control study, we reviewed 30 cases of patients who presented with the clinical symptoms of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the delivery ward. Next to the standard diagnostic algorithm for preeclampsia, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was determined using the automated Elecsys® platform.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 12/30 cases (40%), the diagnosis of a hypertensive pregnancy disorder was confirmed with an sFlt1/PlGF ratio of >85. In 18/30 (60%) cases, a ratio <85 excluded the diagnosis of preeclampsia at the time of presentation and allowed an adaptation of the patient's surveillance programme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the clinical setting of "suspected preeclampsia", determination of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio can serve as an aid in the diagnosis of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The reliable exclusion of the diagnosis "preeclampsia" can help in an appropriate and cost-effective management of patients with signs and symptoms of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Geburtsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20a, Leipzig. holger.stepan@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stepan
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schaarschmidt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jank
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verlohren
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kratzsch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C098069:PIGF protein, human; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1