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Physical resolution of tubal ectopic pregnancy on ultrasound imaging following successful expectant management

Dooley, W; De Braud, L; Memtsa, M; Thanatsis, N; Jauniaux, E; Jurkovic, D; (2020) Physical resolution of tubal ectopic pregnancy on ultrasound imaging following successful expectant management. Reproductive BioMedicine Online , 40 (6) pp. 880-886. 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.02.006. Green open access

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Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION What is the time required for complete physical resolution of tubal ectopic pregnancies diagnosed on ultrasound imaging in women undergoing successful expectant management? DESIGN A prospective observational cohort study of 177 women who had successful expectant management of tubal ectopic pregnancy, who attended a single Early Pregnancy Unit between January 2014 and December 2018. All participants were monitored until their serum β-hCG dropped to non-pregnant levels and with two-weekly follow-up ultrasound scans until resolution of the pregnancy. RESULTS 112/177 (63.8%, 95% CI 56.3-70.9) of tubal ectopic pregnancies were indiscernible on ultrasound 2 weeks after serum β-hCG had returned to non-pregnant levels. In 8/177 (4.5%, 95% CI 2.0-8.7) physical resolution took longer than 78 days. There was a positive correlation between biochemical and physical resolution of tubal ectopic pregnancy (r=0.21, p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS Physical resolution of tubal ectopic pregnancy is often prolonged and is positively correlated with initial and maximum β-hCG levels. Our results indicate that β-hCG resolution cannot be used as the end-point of expectant management of tubal ectopic pregnancy, which should be considered when counselling women and planning for future pregnancies. KEY MESSAGE In a significant proportion, physical resolution of tubal ectopic pregnancy takes several weeks following the return of serum β-hCG to non-pregnant levels. Women should be advised to delay trying for another pregnancy for three months, to avoid resolving pregnancies being misdiagnosed as new ones and to reduce the theoretical risk of recurrent ectopic, due to temporary tubal blockage by the resolving trophoblast.

Type: Article
Title: Physical resolution of tubal ectopic pregnancy on ultrasound imaging following successful expectant management
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.02.006
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.02.006
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Pregnancy, Ectopic Pregnancy, Tubal Pregnancy Complications
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL EGA Institute for Womens Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL EGA Institute for Womens Health > Reproductive Health
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10091888
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