The impact of uterine curettage postpartum on maternal sFlt-1 concentration.

Our purpose was to investigate the influence of a uterine curettage on the immediate maternal sFlt-1 concentration post partum. Forty-six patients booked for delivery via primary caesarean section were included in a prospective open, case control study. Eighteen of them achieved an intraoperative curettage and formed the treatment group, 28 patients without curettage were enrolled in the control group. Maternal sFlt-1 serum values were measured immediately before and 24 h after delivery. Patients who underwent a uterine curettage showed a relative decrease of 70% (median 3670±1110 pg/mL-1143±270 pg/mL) in comparison to the control group with 65% (median 3132±636 pg/mL-1098±611 pg/mL; P=0.558). Additionally, three patients with preeclampsia and curettage were included, who showed a relative decrease of 76%. A uterine curettage may slightly accelerate the fall of the postpartal sFlt-1 concentration. The previously described benefit of curettage in patients with preeclampsia regarding faster recovery or treatment of postpartum seizures may be partly explained as mediated by anti-angiogenic factors.