Decline in βhCG levels between days 0 and 4 after a single dose of methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy predicts treatment success: A retrospective cohort study

M. M. Skubisz, J. Lee, E. M. Wallace, S. Tong

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34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In current protocols for the medical management of ectopic pregnancies, the first indication of treatment response is obtained no sooner than day 7. We examined whether human chorionic gonadotrophin (βhCG) trends between days 0 and 4 after methotrexate provide an earlier indication of the likely outcome. Of 33 patients where serum βhCG dropped between days 0 and 4 after methotrexate, the ectopic pregnancy was resolved in 88% of cases without further treatment. Of 12 women where serum βhCG rose between days 0 and 4, only 42% had treatment success. A fall in βhCG between days 0 and 4 after treatment with methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy predicts a high likelihood of treatment success.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1665-1668
Number of pages4
JournalBJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Volume118
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - Dec 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biomarker
  • ectopic pregnancy
  • human chorionic gonadotrophin
  • medical management
  • methotrexate

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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