Angiogenic Biomarkers in Preeclampsia

Angiogenic biomarkers may be used to aid in the prediction of preeclampsia with severe features and have potential to reduce adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. 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.