| Literature DB >> 32267981 |
T Bourne1,2,3, C Kyriacou1, A Coomarasamy4, M Al-Memar1, M Leonardi5, E Kirk6, C Landolfo7, M Blanchette-Porter8, R Small9, G Condous5, D Timmerman2,3.
Abstract
Entities:
Mesh:
Year: 2020 PMID: 32267981 PMCID: PMC7262213 DOI: 10.1002/uog.22046
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol ISSN: 0960-7692 Impact factor: 8.678
Recommended rationalization of early‐pregnancy management including ultrasound scans, based on symptoms, in context of COVID‐19 pandemic
| Symptom | Details | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
|
| ||
| Abdominal or pelvic pain (no previous scan) |
Referrals from urgent‐care centers, emergency rooms, primary care Quantify pain using visual analog score (1–10) | Offer scan within 24 h |
| Heavy bleeding for more than 24 h and systemic symptoms of blood loss |
Referrals from urgent‐care centers, emergency rooms, primary care Bleeding score 3–4 | Offer scan within 24 h |
| Presence of risk factors for ectopic pregnancy |
Referrals from urgent‐care centers, emergency rooms, primary care | Offer scan within 24 h |
|
| ||
| Moderate bleeding |
Referrals from urgent‐care centers, emergency rooms, primary care Bleeding score 2 |
Telephone consultation with experienced clinician Ask patient to take UPT in 1 week ‐ Negative result: no follow‐up ‐ Positive result: offer scan |
| Heavy bleeding that has resolved |
Referrals from urgent‐care centers, emergency rooms, primary care Bleeding score 3–4, now resolved |
Telephone consultation with experienced clinician Ask patient to take UPT in 1 week ‐ Negative result: no follow‐up ‐ Positive result: offer scan |
|
| ||
| Reassurance | Referrals from urgent‐care centers, emergency rooms, primary care |
Telephone consultation with experienced clinician No routine scan |
| Previous miscarriage(s) | Referral because of previous miscarriage(s) |
Telephone consultation with experienced clinician No routine scan |
| Light bleeding with or without pain, not troublesome to patient |
Referrals from urgent‐care centers, emergency rooms, primary care Bleeding score 1 Quantify pain using visual analog score (1–10) |
Telephone consultation with experienced clinician No routine scan |
Risk factors: previous ectopic pregnancy; previous fallopian‐tube surgery; previous pelvic or abdominal surgery; sexually transmitted infections; pelvic inflammatory disease; use of intrauterine contraceptive device or intrauterine system; use of assisted reproductive technology.
When carrying out triage over telephone, clinical judgment must always be used, and if there are concerns about the patient's clinical condition, provision should be made for immediate review.
UPT, urine pregnancy test.
Recommended rationalization of early‐pregnancy follow‐up based on initial ultrasound scan findings, in context of COVID‐19 pandemic
| Scan finding | Details | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Live normally sited pregnancy | Scan shows embryo with heartbeat (even if it does not correspond to menstrual dates) |
No follow‐up Re‐date pregnancy accordingly |
| Normally sited pregnancy of unknown viability | Scan shows early normally sited pregnancy without embryo with heartbeat |
Findings consistent with menstrual dates: no follow‐up Findings not consistent with menstrual dates: explain risk of miscarriage and consider urine pregnancy test and telephone follow‐up in 2 weeks |
| Pregnancy of unknown location | Scan unable to identify intrauterine or extrauterine pregnancy |
Blood test to be taken as per local protocol; measure β‐hCG with or without progesterone M6 model can be used ( Triage according to M6 model or local policy |
| Ectopic pregnancy | Extrauterine or uterine ectopic pregnancy |
Emphasis on conservative management, if possible Use methotrexate with caution and following MDT discussion Do not perform surgery unless scan is reviewed by senior clinician and no other management option is available If laparoscopy is performed, ensure strict precautions are taken to filter CO2 and use appropriate PPE; alternatively, consider mini‐laparotomy |
| Miscarriage | Normally sited pregnancy meeting miscarriage criteria |
Perform medical or manual vacuum aspiration if possible Regional anesthesia should be considered |
| Molar pregnancy | Ultrasound suggesting features of, or complete or partial, molar pregnancy |
Review by senior clinician regarding management |
|
| ||
| Hyperemesis gravidarum | Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy requiring antiemetic management |
Use PUQE screening tool Follow protocol regarding medications to be prescribed Ambulatory care if required |
β‐hCG, β‐human chorionic gonadotropin; MDT, multidisciplinary team; PPE, personal protective equipment; PUQE, pregnancy unique quantification of emesis.
Figure 1Pictorial bleeding chart.
Figure 2Proposed clinical management using M6 model for characterization of pregnancies of unknown location (PUL). β‐hCG, β‐human chorionic gonadotropin; EP, ectopic pregnancy; FPUL, failed pregnancy of unknown location; IUP, intrauterine pregnancy; UPT, urine pregnancy test.