Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) based testing for pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia (PE) affects approximately three per cent of all pregnancies and is a serious cause of maternal and foetal morbidity. There is no definitive test to help diagnose PE and the only “cure” is delivery of the baby. High suspicion for the disease and a low threshold for admission places a considerable unnecessary burden on the system, something that PlGF based testing aims to alleviate.

PlGF based testing provides fast and accurate diagnosis if PE is suspected, using a simple blood test for placental biomarkers. Blood tests available from Roche Diagnostics (Roche Elecsys sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio Test) and Quidel Corporation (Quidel Triage PlGF test) help to identify which women;
• do not have pre-eclampsia;
• have or are at risk of developing pre-eclampsia;
• or are at risk of pre-term delivery.

The product is recommended by NICE between 20 weeks and 34 weeks plus six days of gestation. The improved diagnosis allows better ante-natal risk management and provision of appropriate care according to clinical need, with subsequent financial and capacity benefits for the maternity system.

The Health Innovation Network (HIN) worked with stakeholders including suppliers and clinicians to support with the implementation and adoption of PlGF based testing and the diagnostic test is currently being used throughout south London. The NICE approved product is supported through the MedTech Funding Mandate (MTFM).