The Current Role of the sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio and the Uterine–Umbilical–Cerebral Doppler Ultrasound in Predicting and Monitoring Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: An Update with a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Regarding the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, pre-eclampsia (PE) remains one of the leading causes of severe and life-threatening maternal and fetal complications. Screening of early-onset PE ( 38 showed 66.2% sensitivity and 83.1% specificity in predicting the occurrence of PE within 4 weeks. Furthermore, 2018 ISUOG Practice Guidelines stated that a second-trimester mean uterine artery PI ≥ 1.44 increases the risk of later PE development. The implementation of a standard screening procedure based on the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and uterine Doppler velocimetry may improve early detection of pre-eclampsia and other placenta-related disorders.

Keywords

• prediction
• pre-eclampsia
• gestational hypertension
• sFlt-1/PlGF ratio
• uterine Doppler
• fetal growth restriction