Maternal Plasma Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-2 at 11 to 13 Weeks of Gestation in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Abstract

Objective. In patients with preeclampsia maternal plasma concentration of plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) is reduced. The objective of the study was to determine if the altered levels of PAI-2 precede the onset of the disease. Methods. Plasma PAI-2 was measured at 11–13 weeks of gestation in 119 pregnancies that developed preeclampsia, 85 that developed gestational hypertension and 204 controls. Results. There were no significant differences in PAI-2 between the preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and controls (1.07 MoM, 1.08 MoM and 0.96 MoM). Conclusion. The decrease in plasma PAI-2 observed in preeclampsia does not precede the clinical onset of the disease.

Keywords:

• Plasminogen activator inhibitor-2
• First-trimester screening
• Preeclampsia
• Uterine artery Doppler

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The study was supported by a grant from The Fetal Medicine Foundation (UK Charity No: 1037116). The assays were sponsored and performed by PerkinElmer, Inc., Wallac Oy, Turku, Finland.

Declaration of Interest:

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.