Placental growth factor testing for suspected pre‐eclampsia: a cost‐effectiveness analysis

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the cost‐effectiveness of implementing PlGF testing alongside a clinical management algorithm in maternity services in the UK, compared with current standard care. DESIGN: Cost‐effectiveness analysis. SETTING: Eleven maternity units participating in the PARROT stepped‐wedge cluster‐randomised controlled trial. POPULATION: Women presenting with suspected pre‐eclampsia between 20(+0) and 36(+6) weeks’ gestation. METHODS: Monte Carlo simulation utilising resource use data and maternal adverse outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cost per maternal adverse outcome prevented. RESULTS: Clinical care with PlGF testing costs less than current standard practice and resulted in fewer maternal adverse outcomes. There is a total cost‐saving of UK£149 per patient tested, when including the cost of the test. This represents a potential cost‐saving of UK£2,891,196 each year across the NHS in England. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical care with PlGF testing is associated with the potential for cost‐savings per participant tested when compared with current practice via a reduction in outpatient attendances, and improves maternal outcomes. This economic analysis supports a role for implementation of PlGF testing in antenatal services for the assessment of women with suspected pre‐eclampsia. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Placental growth factor testing for suspected pre‐eclampsia is cost‐saving and improves maternal outcomes.