SUMMARY:

FIGO released first trimester preeclampsia screening guidance that provides recommendations for assessing risk based not only on clinical history and findings, but also biomarkers.  FIGO calls for universal screening for preeclampsia

All pregnant women should be screened for preterm PE during early pregnancy by the first‐trimester combined test with maternal risk factors and biomarkers as a one‐step procedure

Combined Tests for Preeclampsia

Best Combined Test (high risk defined as ≥ 1 in 100)

• Combination of clinical factors and biomarkers (see ASPRE summary in ‘Related ObG Topics’ below) including
  • Maternal risk factors
  • Mean arterial pressure (MAP)
  • serum placental growth factor (PlGF)
  • Uterine artery pulsatility index (UTPI)

Note: Calculator is open access and available in the ‘Learn More – Primary Sources’ below

PlGF and/or UTPI Not Available 

• Use maternal risk factors and MAP
• Do not use maternal risk factors alone
• Screening performance will be reduced when screening does not include all elements of the combined test

Contingent Screening in Limited Resource Settings

• Use maternal factors and MAP
• Consider reflex to PlGF and UTPI for those at increased risk a subgroup of the population

KEY POINTS:

FIGO Uses ISSHP Preeclampsia Definition

Systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg on at least two occasions measured 4 hours apart in previously normotensive women, with ≥1 of the following new‐onset conditions ≥20 weeks

• Proteinuria:
  • ≥30 mg/mol protein: Cr ratio | ≥300 mg/24 hour | ≥2 + dipstick
• Maternal organ dysfunction
  • Acute kidney injury: Creatinine ≥90 μmol/L; 1 mg/dL
  • Liver involvement: Elevated transaminases (e.g., alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase >40 IU/L) with or without right upper quadrant or epigastric abdominal pain
  • Neurological complications: Eclampsia | Altered mental status | Blindness | Stroke | Clonus | Severe headaches | Persistent visual scotomata
  • Hematological complications: Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150 000/μL) | DIC | Hemolysis
• Uteroplacental dysfunction
  • FGR
  • Abnormal umbilical artery Doppler
  • Stillbirth

How to Measure MAP

• Sitting position with arms at heart level, using appropriately sized cuff (after 5 minute rest)
  • Mid‐arm circumference: Small <22 cm | Normal 22–32 cm | Large 33–42 cm
• Measure BP in both arms simultaneously and
  • Two sets of BP measurements at 1 minute intervals
  • Total of 4 sets are used in the calculator

Prophylaxis for Women at High Risk

• Aspirin for prevention of preterm preeclampsia
  • Start between 11w0d to 14w6d
  • ~150 mg every night until
    • 36 weeks | Delivery | Preeclampsia diagnosed
  • Do not prescribe low-dose aspirin for all pregnant women
• Calcium
  • Low calcium intake (
  • Calcium replacement: ≤1 g elemental calcium/d or
  • Calcium supplementation: 1.5–2 g elemental calcium/d

Multiple Pregnancies

• Combined algorithm “can be adapted” for twins
  • High detection but also high screen-positive rate

ACOG and SMFM Guidance

• ACOG and SMFM have released guidance, stating that they “support the USPSTF guideline criteria for prevention of preeclampsia” on the use of low-dose aspirin during pregnancy to prevent preeclampsia (see ‘Related ObG Topics’ below)
• Offer low-dose aspirin (81 mg/day) to women with ≥1 high risk factors for preeclampsia
• Risk factors used for ACOG/SMFM recommendations only include factors obtained from the medical record
  • Uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography and biochemical markers are not included
• ACOG considers the supporting data for the use of such combined risk assessment algorithms to be limited and without more prospective clinical utility trials, states that

…biomarkers and ultrasonography cannot accurately predict preeclampsia and should remain investigational

Learn More – Primary Sources:

FIGO Releases New Guidelines to Combat Pre-Eclampsia

Risk Assessment Calculator of Preeclampsia

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) initiative on pre‐eclampsia: A pragmatic guide for first‐trimester screening and prevention

Related ObG Topics: