Vascular endothelial growth factor and β-human chorionic gonadotropin are associated with trophoblastic invasion into the tubal wall in ectopic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between the depth of trophoblastic penetration into the tubal wall with serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and β-hCG and to assess its predictive value.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Tertiary care university hospital.

PATIENT(S): Thirty patients with ampullary pregnancy undergoing salpingectomy were analyzed.

INTERVENTION(S): Trophoblastic invasion was histologically classified as stage I when limited to the tubal mucosa, stage II when extending to the muscle layer, and stage III in the case of complete tubal wall infiltration.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The relation between depth of trophoblastic infiltration into the tubal wall with VEGF and β-hCG serum concentrations on the day of surgery.

RESULT(S): An association between the depth of trophoblastic invasion and maternal serum concentrations of VEGF and β-hCG was observed. VEGF levels of 297.2 pg/mL showed 100.0% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity for stage I, and levels of 440.1 pg/mL showed 81.8% sensitivity and 88.8% specificity for stage III. Beta-hCG levels of 2590.0 mIU/mL showed 88.9% sensitivity and 80.0% specificity for stage I, and levels of 10,827.0 mUI/mL showed 72.7% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity for stage III.

CONCLUSION(S): Maternal serum VEGF and β-hCG concentrations are associated with depth of trophoblastic penetration into the tubal wall.