A Review of the Diagnosis, Risk Factors, and Role of Angiogenetic Factors in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDPs) include chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia and are major causes of maternal and fetal complications.Preeclampsia, in particular, poses significant risks, yet prevention and management remain challenging despite extensive research.Various risk factors have been identified, with obesity being a key contributor to preeclampsia.The role of angiogenic factors, specifically soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF), has gained more attention in hopes of better understanding the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.Imbalances in these factors -increased sFlt-1 and decreased PlGF levels -can be observed before the clinical onset of the disease.The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio has been demonstrated to have strong predictive value in ruling out preeclampsia within the next 7 days for women with suspected cases, enhancing early diagnosis and screening mechanisms.Furthermore, women with a history of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy face a significantly higher risk of developing postpartum hypertension, especially within the first 2 years following childbirth.This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of HDPs, focusing on risk factors, diagnostic criteria, and the emerging role of angiogenic biomarkers.Specifically, it highlights the potential of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio as a noninvasive tool to improve the early detection and diagnosis of preeclampsia.