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Ramirez Zegarra R, Ghi T, Lees C. Does the use of angiogenic biomarkers for the management of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction improve outcomes?: Challenging the current status quo. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2024; 300:268-277. [PMID: 39053087 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Monitoring and timing of delivery in preterm preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction is one of the biggest challenges in Obstetrics. Finding the optimal time of delivery of these fetuses usually involves a trade-off between the severity of the disease and prematurity. So far, most clinical guidelines recommend the use of a combination between clinical, laboratory and ultrasound markers to guide the time of delivery. Angiogenic biomarkers, especially placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), have gained significant attention in recent years for their potential role in the prediction and diagnosis of placenta-related disorders including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Another potential clinical application of the angiogenic biomarkers is for the differential diagnosis of patients with chronic kidney disease, as this condition shares similar clinical features with preeclampsia. Consequently, angiogenic biomarkers have been advocated as tools for monitoring and deciding the optimal time of the delivery of fetuses affected by placental dysfunction. In this clinical opinion, we critically review the available literature on PlGF and sFlt-1 for the surveillance and time of the delivery in fetuses affected by preterm preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Moreover, we explore the use of angiogenic biomarkers for the differentiation between chronic kidney disease and superimposed preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Ramirez Zegarra
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Christoph Lees
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Patel E, Suresh S, Mueller A, Bisson C, Zhu K, Verlohren S, Dadelszen PV, Magee L, Rana S. sFlt1/PlGF among patients with suspected preeclampsia when considering hypertensive status. AJOG GLOBAL REPORTS 2024; 4:100359. [PMID: 39005612 PMCID: PMC11239699 DOI: 10.1016/j.xagr.2024.100359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In high-resource settings, biomarkers of angiogenic balance, such as the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1)/placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio, have been studied extensively to aid in evaluation of patients with suspected preeclampsia (PE), and have been incorporated into the 2021 International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy definition of PE. The utility in under-resourced settings has not been as well characterized. OBJECTIVE This analysis sought to identify the role of the sFlt1/PlGF ratio in the evaluation of patients with or without hypertension who are suspected of having PE without other diagnostic information. STUDY DESIGN This is a secondary analysis of a prior prospective study of patients who were presented with suspected PE at ≥20+0 weeks' gestation at a single academic tertiary care center. Patients were recruited in the parent study from July 2009 to June 2012. In the original study, clinicians were masked to biomarker results, and patients were followed by chart review. In this analysis, the performance of the sFlt1/PlGF ratio (≤38, >38, or >85) was assessed alone in identifying both hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients at risk of evolving into PE with severe features (PE-SF; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' definition) within two weeks of the triage visit (PE-SF2). Hypertension was defined as a blood pressure (BP)≥140/90 mmHg. RESULTS There were 1043 patients included in the analysis; of whom, 579 (55.5%) and 464 (44.5%) presented with or without hypertension, respectively. In triage, 332 (75.4%) of hypertensive patients presented due to BP concerns, and the remainder were evaluated due to other features (new-onset headache, proteinuria, or edema). On triage evaluation, 66.8% of all patients had a normal sFlt1/PlGF ratio ≤38, and 17.0% had an elevated ratio >85. Among hypertensive patients, a sFlt1/PlGF ratio ≤38 was a good rule-out test for PE-SF2 (negative likelihood ratio [LR-] of 0.15), and a ratio >85 was a good rule-in test (positive likelihood ratio [LR+] of 5.75). Among normotensive patients, sFlt1/PlGF was useful as a rule-in test for ratio >38 (LR+ 5.13) and >85 (LR+ 12.80). Stratified by gestational age, sFlt1/PlGF continued to be a good rule in and good rule out test at <35 weeks among those with hypertension but did not have good test performance ≥35 weeks. sFlt1/PlGF had a good test performance as a rule in test for >85 regardless of gestational age. In triage, 4.3% (30/693) of patients with sFlt1/PlGF ratio <38 had concurrent laboratory evidence of PE, compared with 15.9% (28/176) patients with ratio >85. CONCLUSION These findings support the potential for the use of sFlt1/PlGF and BP measurement alone in resource-limited settings where other laboratory tests or clinical expertise are unavailable for risk stratification. Performance of the biomarker varied by the presence of hypertension and gestational age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Easha Patel
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL (Dr Patel, Ms Mueller, Drs Bisson, Zhu, Rana)
| | - Sunitha Suresh
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL (Dr Suresh)
| | - Ariel Mueller
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL (Dr Patel, Ms Mueller, Drs Bisson, Zhu, Rana)
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (Ms Mueller)
| | - Courtney Bisson
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL (Dr Patel, Ms Mueller, Drs Bisson, Zhu, Rana)
| | - Katherine Zhu
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL (Dr Patel, Ms Mueller, Drs Bisson, Zhu, Rana)
| | - Stefan Verlohren
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany (Dr Verlohren)
| | - Peter Von Dadelszen
- Institute of Women and Children's Health, Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (Drs Dadelszen, Magee)
| | - Laura Magee
- Institute of Women and Children's Health, Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (Drs Dadelszen, Magee)
| | - Sarosh Rana
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL (Dr Patel, Ms Mueller, Drs Bisson, Zhu, Rana)
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Patel E, Suresh S, Rana S. Clinical utility of angiogenic biomarkers. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:e124. [PMID: 38382826 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Easha Patel
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Sunitha Suresh
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University Health System, Chicago, IL
| | - Sarosh Rana
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Medicine, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, MC 2050, Chicago, IL 60637.
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Loussert L, Dupuis N, Guerby P. Optimal antenatal corticosteroids timing in women with nonsevere preeclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:e123. [PMID: 38382827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Lola Loussert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paule de Viguier Hospital, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Ninon Dupuis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paule de Viguier Hospital, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Paul Guerby
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paule de Viguier Hospital, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France; INFINITY CNRS, Inserm UMR 129, Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France.
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Burwick RM, Rodriguez MH. Angiogenic Biomarkers in Preeclampsia. Obstet Gynecol 2024; 143:515-523. [PMID: 38350106 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Preeclampsia contributes disproportionately to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality throughout the world. A critical driver of preeclampsia is angiogenic imbalance, which is often present weeks to months before overt disease. Two placenta-derived angiogenic biomarkers, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF), have proved useful as diagnostic and prognostic tests for preeclampsia. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the sFlt-1/PlGF assay to aid in the prediction of preeclampsia with severe features among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy at 24-34 weeks of gestation. In this narrative review, we summarize the body of work leading to this approval and describe how the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio may be implemented in clinical practice as an adjunctive measure to help optimize care and to reduce adverse outcomes in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Burwick
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, San Gabriel Valley Perinatal Medical Group, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, Pomona, California
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Thadhani R, Cerdeira AS, Karumanchi SA. Translation of mechanistic advances in preeclampsia to the clinic: Long and winding road. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23441. [PMID: 38300220 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301808r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
As one of the leading causes of premature birth and maternal and infant mortality worldwide, preeclampsia remains a major unmet public health challenge. Preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are estimated to cause >75 000 maternal and 500 000 infant deaths globally each year. Because of rising rates of risk factors such as obesity, in vitro fertilization and advanced maternal age, the incidence of preeclampsia is going up with rates ranging from 5% to 10% of all pregnancies worldwide. A major discovery in the field was the realization that the clinical phenotypes related to preeclampsia, such as hypertension, proteinuria, and other adverse maternal/fetal events, are due to excess circulating soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1, also referred to as sVEGFR-1). sFlt-1 is an endogenous anti-angiogenic protein that is made by the placenta and acts by neutralizing the pro-angiogenic proteins vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF). During the last decade, this work has spawned a new era of molecular diagnostics for early detection of this condition. Antagonizing sFlt-1 either by reducing production or blocking its actions has shown salutary effects in animal models. Further, in early-stage human studies, the therapeutic removal of sFlt-1 from maternal circulation has shown promise in delaying disease progression and improving outcomes. Recently, the FDA approved the first molecular test for preterm preeclampsia (sFlt-1/PlGF ratio) for clinical use in the United States. Measuring serum sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in the acute hospital setting may aid short-term management, particularly regarding step-up or step-down of care, decision to transfer to settings better equipped to manage both the mother and the preterm neonate, appropriate timing of administration of steroids and magnesium sulfate, and in expectant management decisions. The test itself has the potential to save lives. Furthermore, the availability of a molecular test that correlates with adverse outcomes has set the stage for interventional clinical trials testing treatments for this disorder. In this review, we will discuss the role of circulating sFlt-1 and related factors in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and specifically how this discovery is leading to concrete advances in the care of women with preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Thadhani
- Woodruff Health Sciences Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Departments of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ana Sofia Cerdeira
- Nuffield Department of Women's Health and Reproductive Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Fetal Maternal Medicine Unit, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK
| | - S Ananth Karumanchi
- Departments of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Bisson C, Dautel S, Patel E, Suresh S, Dauer P, Rana S. Preeclampsia pathophysiology and adverse outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1144170. [PMID: 37007771 PMCID: PMC10060641 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1144170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Preeclampsia is a disease with far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the immediate postpartum period and have a significant impact later in life. Preeclampsia exerts an effect on most organ systems in the body. These sequelae are mediated in part by the incompletely elucidated pathophysiology of preeclampsia and the associated vascular changes. Content Current research focuses on unraveling the pathophysiology of preeclampsia with the goal of implementing accurate screening and treatment modalities based on disease development and progression. Preeclampsia causes significant short- and long-term maternal morbidity and mortality, not only in the cardiovascular system but also in other organ systems throughout the body. This impact persists beyond pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. Summary The goal of this review is to discuss the current understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia as it relates to the adverse health consequences in patients impacted by this disease, along with a brief discussion of ways to improve overall outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sarosh Rana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL, United States
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Vatish M, Powys VR, Cerdeira AS. Novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches for preeclampsia. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 2023; 32:124-133. [PMID: 36683536 DOI: 10.1097/mnh.0000000000000870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review will summarize recent findings relating to the diagnostic approach to preeclampsia and current avenues of research aimed at modifying the underlying disease process. RECENT FINDINGS Growing international consensus supports a broad preeclampsia definition that incorporates maternal end-organ and uteroplacental dysfunction. Recent evidence demonstrates that this definition better identifies women and babies at risk of adverse outcomes compared to the traditional definition of hypertension and proteinuria. Multiple studies have demonstrated the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of angiogenic biomarkers such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor as a clinical adjunct to diagnose and predict severity of preeclampsia associated outcomes. Current novel therapeutic approaches to preeclampsia target pathogenic pathways (e.g. antiangiogenesis) or downstream effects such as oxidative stress and nitric oxide. Recent findings relating to these promising candidates are discussed. Multicenter clinical trials are needed to evaluate their effectiveness and ability to improve fetal and maternal outcomes. SUMMARY We provide an updated framework of the current approaches to define and diagnose preeclampsia. Disease modifying therapies (in particular, targeting the angiogenic pathway) are being developed for the first time and promise to revolutionize the way we manage preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Vatish
- Nuffield Department of Women's Health and Reproductive Research, University of Oxford, Oxford
| | | | - Ana Sofia Cerdeira
- Nuffield Department of Women's Health and Reproductive Research, University of Oxford, Oxford
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