Sudden collapse and death of women obtaining abortions induced with prostaglandin F2alpha.

Two recent cases of sudden collapse and eventual death of the woman after induction of abortion with prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) have been reported to the Center for Disease Control as part of the epidemiologic surveillance of deaths due to abortion. We present these cases in order to document this event associated with the use of PGF2alpha. The etiology of the sudden collapse is still unknown. Nonetheless, the deaths of these two healthy young women undergoing induced abortions with PGF2alpha should heighten clinicians' awareness of some possible risks associated with these new abortifacients.