Association of ST2 Elevation in the Early Third Trimester with Heart Failure and Pre-Eclampsia in the Peripartum Period

Background: Although high-risk pregnancies are common in clinical practice, there are limited data on the association of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) with pregnancy-related complications. The rates of maternal complications, including heart failure (HF) during the peripartum period, were evaluated according to the ST2 level. Materials and Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study included and stratified 259 women with high-risk pregnancies in their early third trimester according to the ST2 levels. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of peripartum HF based on symptoms, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, or echocardiography associated with fluid retention. The secondary endpoints consisted of pre-eclampsia, silent pleural effusion, and pericardial effusion during the peripartum period. We performed a logistic model for the association between ST2 and maternal complications. Results: Of the 259 patients (mean age: 36.4 years, mean gestational duration: 31.6 weeks), advanced age ≥35 years and twin gestation were the most prevalent risk factors. Patients with ST2 ≥ 35 ng/mL showed enlarged cardiac chambers. Peripartum HF occurred in 2 (1.6%) out of 121 patients with ST2 < 35 ng/mL and in 47 (34%) out of 138 patients with ST2 ≥ 35 ng/mL. Those with ST2 ≥ 35 ng/mL were more likely to have the secondary endpoints (40.6% vs. 5.8%, p < 0.001). After adjustment, ST2 ≥ 35 ng/mL was associated with a six-fold occurrence of peripartum HF and a four-fold increase in the secondary endpoints. Conclusions: In women with high-risk pregnancies, peripartum HF and pre-eclampsia were not uncommon, and ST2 ≥ 35 ng/mL in the third trimester was independently related to maternal complications.