For women presenting before 35 weeks’ gestation with suspected preeclampsia, low levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) have high sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) for identifying women who will need to deliver within 14 days because of the disease, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in Circulation. P1GF has better test characteristics than other currently used tests and can improve disease monitoring, preventing unnecessary care. The test, made by Alere (Waltham, Mass.), still needs U.S. regulatory approval for clinical use. Current diagnosis relies on blood pressure and proteinuria, which experts say are of limited use because they are tertiary features of the disease reflecting end-organ disease and are poorly predictive of subsequent adverse outcomes. P1GF increases in concentration in maternal circulation (peaking at 26 weeks’ to 30 weeks’ gestation) but can serve as a secondary marker of associated placental dysfunction in preeclampsia, with low concentrations associated with the disease. Researchers conducted a prospective, multicenter trial (from January 2011 to February 2012) in which the diagnostic accuracy of low plasma PlGF concentration (less than the fifth centile for gestation) was evaluated using the Alere Triage assay in 625 women presenting with suspected preeclampsia between 20 weeks’ and 41 […]