To Accelerate the Diagnosis of Preeclampsia, Consider Measuring Maternal Placental Growth Factor

Placental growth factor (PlGF) regulates angiogenesis in the developing placenta, and low plasma PlGF levels have been implicated in the etiology of preeclampsia. To assess the clinical utility of measuring maternal circulating PlGF for diagnosing preeclampsia, U.K. investigators conducted a cluster-randomized trial involving 1023 patients at >20 weeks' gestation with suspected preeclampsia (e.g., new-onset or worsening hypertension, proteinuria, epigastric pain, headache with visual disturbances, fetal growth restriction). PlGF was measured at study entry, and the value was revealed (intervention group [NICE guidelines plus clinical management algorithm]) or concealed (usual care group [NICE guidelines alone]) from the clinicians; 11 mater…