Application Detail

Description of Medical Service

Women with preeclampsia have abnormal levels of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors with low levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) and high levels of placental soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1). The sFlt-1 / PlGF ratio increases several weeks before the onset of clinical symptoms and signs of preeclampsia and is more marked in cases of early onset and severe disease. Women identified as having clinical and/or biochemical symptoms and signs of preeclampsia will be offered an sFlt-1 / PlGF test as a means of confirming the likelihood and severity of disease. The results of the tests are proposed to be used to:

1. Identify a cohort of women who do not, in fact, have preeclampsia and who can be managed along the normal antenatal pathway.
2. Identify a cohort of women at intermediate risk of preeclampsia who would benefit from an increased level of outpatient assessment. This may include repeat sFlt-1 / PlGF testing later in the pregnancy.
3. Identify a cohort of women at high risk of imminent adverse outcome who can be managed through timely admission and preparation for delivery to mitigate these risks to maternal and fetal outcome.

Description of Medical Condition

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition resulting in maternal hypertension (high blood pressure) and multisystem dysfunction. Once preeclampsia develops, it becomes progressively worse until infant delivery. Preterm preeclampsia is a more severe form of disease with earlier onset that causes more cardiovascular morbidity for mothers in later life. The preeclamptic fetus is often growth restricted. Planned pre-term birth puts the surviving fetus at substantially increased risk of death or lifelong morbidity.

Reason for Application

New MBS item

Medical Service Type

Investigative technology

Previous Application Number/s

Not Applicable

Associated Documentation

Application Form

Application Form (PDF 1453 KB)
Application Form (Word 132 KB)

Consultation Survey

Consultation Survey (PDF 689 KB)
Consultation Survey (Word 72 KB)

PASC Consultation
Consultation closed

MSAC Consultation
MSAC consultation input must be received by no later than Friday, 6 October 2023 for it to be considered by MSAC at its November 2023 meeting.

For further information please refer to PASC, ESC, MSAC Key Dates
For further information on the consultation process please refer to MSAC Consultation Process

PICO Confirmation

PICO Confirmation (PDF 1448 KB)
PICO Confirmation (Word 2683 KB)

Assessment Report

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Public Summary Document

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Meetings for this Application

PASC

13-14 April 2022

ESC

5-6 October 2023

MSAC

23-24 November 2023