SUDDEN COLLAPSE AND DEATH OF WOMEN OBTAINING ABORTIONS INDUCED WITH PROSTAGLANDIN-F2-ALPHA

Two recent cases of sudden collapse and eventual death of the woman after induction of abortion with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) 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 PGF2α. The etiology of the sudden collapse is still unknown. Nonetheless, the deaths of these two healthy young women undergoing induced abortions with PGF2α should heighten clinicians' awareness of some possible risks associated with these new abortifacients. © 1979.