Emergency management of the nonviable intrauterine pregnancy

Fetal death early in gestation is common. Patients in the first trimester of pregnancy with abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding often present to the emergency department for care. Over the past 20 years, the technology available to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of a nonviable pregnancy has improved dramatically. These improvements have altered the diagnostic approach to these patients and have lead to a change in the terminology used to categorize the pregnancy status. In addition, the therapeutic options available to manage patients with a confirmed nonviable pregnancy have expanded greatly. In this article, we re-evaluate the classification scheme used to categorize patients with first trimester pain or bleeding given the improved technology that is available to the emergency physician today. We discuss the role of ultrasound and biochemical markers in confirming or excluding the diagnosis of a nonviable pregnancy. Finally, we review the therapeutic options, including expectant, surgical as well as medical management that are available once the diagnosis of a nonviable intrauterine pregnancy has been confirmed.