Medical management of ectopic pregnancy

Laparoscopic methotrexate treatment of ectopic pregnancy: feasibility, efficacy, safety and intrauterine pregnancy rates

We set out to investigate efficacy, methotrexate (MTX) plasma concentrations, and toxicity following a single injection of MTX into the gestational site in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy. This was a non-randomised, non-blinded prospective clinical trial. Eighteen women with unruptured tubal pregnancies and in stable haemodynamic condition were studied. MTX 1 mg/kg was injected into the ectopic pregnancy guided by laparoscopy. Serum betahCG levels were estimated before MTX treatment and on days 1, 4 and 13. In 14 patients plasma MTX was determined 1 h and 6 h after the injection. We found an adequate decline in betahCG was achieved in 17 (94%) patients, and tubal surgery avoided in 15 (83%). At 6 hours following drug administration, mean plasma MTX concentration (0.36+/-0.21 microM) was only 12% of mean peak level (3.1+/-1.0 microM). Six (39%) demonstrated slightly elevated, but completely reversible liver enzymes. None reported any subjective adverse effects. At the 4-7 year follow-up nine of 12 (75%) women had delivered healthy babies. It is concluded that intratubal injection of 1 mg/kg MTX appears to be an effective and safe treatment of ectopic pregnancy.

[Conservative treatment of ectopic pregnancies: comparison of velocity of decrease of beta-HCG between spontaneous and methotrexate induced resorptions]

The evolution of the process can take two different directions. If an Intact pregnancy continues to grow, there is a tubal abortion or a rupture of the Fallopian tube. In the oppsote case, there is spontaneous resorption of the tubal pregnancy. In certain cases with the application of methotrexate, the ectopic pregnancy growth can be interrupted and spontaneous resorption can be induced. Nowadays, the international standards of treating patients with early ectopic gravidities and no peritoneal effusions, with beta-HCG values below 6000 UI/l, gestational sac diameter below 3 cm, and without any visible heart action, imply methotrexate treatment. The objective of this study is to prove the efficiency of methotrexate use in patients who meet the above criteria. The first group did not manifest satisfying decrease of [beta-HCG after two measurements, so methotrexate was used, while the second group showed satisfying decrease of beta-HCG, measured on the third day. Comparing the velocity of decrease of beta-HCG level among both groups of patients, it was proved that iatrogenically induced decrease, that is to say the achieved resorption, was equal to the spontaneous resorption, which justified the use of methotrexate in ectopic pregnancy treatment.

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a high-risk diagnosis that is increasing in frequency and is still commonly missed in the emergency department. The emergency physician needs a high index of suspicion and must understand that the history, physical examination, and a single quantitative beta-hCG level cannot reliably rule out an ectopic pregnancy. Most pregnant patients who present to the emergency department during the first trimester with abdominal or pelvic pain, regardless of the presence of vaginal bleeding, should undergo further evaluation with ultrasonography. Ultrasound findings in conjunction with quantitative beta-hCG levels guide the management of the patient.

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy occurs in approximately 2% of all pregnancies in the United States, and is the nation's leading cause of first trimester maternal death. Its incidence has increased sixfold in the past 25 years, despite significant improvements in techniques for early diagnosis and management. This article reviews the epidemiology, risk factors, and common clinical presentations of ectopic pregnancy. Both traditional and newly developed strategies for diagnosis and management are described. The primary care physician is in an excellent position to screen for and diagnose ectopic pregnancy, and to counsel patients regarding treatment options and future risks. With the increasing trend toward outpatient nonsurgical management of ectopics, it is expected that the roll of the primary care physician in managing patients with ectopic pregnancy will continue to increase.