Value of the biomarker soluble tyrosine kinase 1 type fms (sFLT-1) in the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction

The present systematic review analyses the role of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) as an indirect biomarCker of endothelial dysfunction in sepsis or septic shock from articles published in Pubmed between 2010 and March 2022.

Materials and methods

A systematic review of studies studying sFLT-1 monitoring in intensive care units in adults with sepsis or septic shock vs. controls for sepsis diagnosis and prognosis has been carried out (PROSPERO CRD42023412929 Registry).

Results

The endothelial dysfunction of sepsis is one of the keys to the development of the disease. VEGF binds to sFlt-1 acting as a competitive inhibitor of VEGF signalling in endothelial cells and thus neutralizes its pro-inflammatory effects. Endothelial dysfunction is reflected in increased sFLT-1 levels. High values of sFLT-1 were used for the differential diagnosis of sepsis versus other inflammatory pathologies, septic shock versus other types of shock, were elevated over time, estimation of disease prognosis, correlation with sepsis severity, organ dysfunction, and mortality prediction.

Conclusions

It is evident that sepsis is based on endothelial dysfunction. sFLT-1 is one of the main biomarkers of microvascular alteration and is a predictive diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.