Serum VEGF as a Tubal Pregnancy Marker

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of the present study was (i) to evaluate whether a single measurement of VEGF would allow us to distinguish between intrauterine pregnancy (normal and abnormal) and EP and (ii) to correlate the levels of VEGF with serum levels of progesterone and β-hCG in each subgroup. Ninety patients were selected from a population of women presenting to the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School from October 2006 until September 2007 and were divided in three subgroups: (i) abnormal (arrested) intrauterine pregnancy (defined as a gestational sac greater than 16 mm of mean diameter without fetal tissue or a embryo greater than 5 mm without embryo cardiac activity); (ii) tubal pregnancy (no evidence of intrauterine pregnancy, presence of a adnexal mass, suboptimal rise of serum hCG levels in 48 hours); all tubal pregnancies were surgically treated and were histologically confirmed, they did not receive any methotrexate treatment before operation; (iii) normal intrauterine pregnancy (intrauterine gestational sac, embryo vitality confirmed). Blood samples were collected by peripheral venous puncture before treatment; a total 15 mL of blood was withdrawn (2 mL for β-hCG, 3mL for progesterone, 10 mL for VEGF determinations). Blood samples for VEGF were collected in siliconized tubes and were allowed to coagulate at room temperature for 2-6 hours.

Official Title
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Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) As a Marker for Tubal Pregnancy

Conditions
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Pregnancy, Ectopic

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Dosage of VEGF serum concentration


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria were: women that had a positive hCG test and presented with either abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding; all pregnancies were singletons, spontaneously conceived, with accurate assessments of their gestational age (42 - 56 days from the first day of the last menstrual period). A detailed informed consent was obtained from each patient before the inclusion. Exclusion Criteria was: non-ampullar tubal pregnancy (surgically confirmed).
Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: Dosage of VEGF serum concentration|Blood samples were collected by peripheral venous puncture before treatment; a total 15 mL of blood was withdrawn (2 mL for β-hCG, 3mL for progesterone, 10 mL for VEGF determinations). Blood samples for VEGF were collected in siliconized tubes and were allowed to coagulate at room temperature for 2-6 hours.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VEGF serum concentration |  | One year | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Pregnancy, Ectopic, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A, Pregnancy, Tubal