Detection of ectopic pregnancy and serum beta hCG levels in women undergoing very early medical abortion: a retrospective cohort study : Detection of ectopic pregnancy and serum beta hCG levels in women undergoing very early medical abortion: a retrospective cohort stud

• Objective To evaluate the outcome of the very early medical abortion (VEMA) protocol and whether it could increase early diagnosis and treatment of an asymptomatic ectopic pregnancy (EP). To investigate serum beta-hCG levels correlated to ultrasound findings, and decline in beta-hCG after successful VEMA. Study design A retrospective case-note review. The population consisted of all women undergoing a VEMA during 2004-14 in Austria and 2012-13 in Sweden. Two cohorts identified based on sonography findings; 106 women with an empty uterine cavity were classified as a pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) and 576 women with an intrauterine sac-like structure without a yolk sac or foetal structure were classified as probable intrauterine pregnancy (probable IUP). Results Overall, 660 women (97.6%) had a successful VEMA, 94/101 women (93.1%) in the PUL group and 566/575 women (98.4%) in the probable IUP group (p < 0.001). We identified six asymptomatic EP (0.88%). A gestational sac (< 10 mm) was detected at a median/range beta-hCG level 2728 (1600-4497) IU/l. The mean decline in beta-hCG was 93%, (95% CI 91.7-94.2) 5-10 days after successful abortion. Conclusions VEMA may be of particular clinical benefit for women. Apart from offering a possibility to start an abortion without delay as soon as the woman has sought abortion care, it may also offer an opportunity to detect and treat EP at an early gestational age. However, the rate of EP was very low.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Ectopic pregnancy

human chorionic gonadotropin

medical abortion

ultrasonography

human chorionic-gonadotropin

diagnostic-criteria

vaginal sonography

unknown location

ultrasound

1st

intrauterine

termination

complications

mifepristone

Public

Environmental & Occupational Health

Obstetrics & Gynecology

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