Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a high-risk diagnosis that is increasing in frequency and is still commonly missed in the emergency department. The emergency physician needs a high index of suspicion and must understand that the history, physical examination, and a single quantitative level of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin cannot reliably rule out an ectopic pregnancy. This article reviews the clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings that help the emergency physician diagnose an ectopic pregnancy. An approach to the patient who presents to the emergency department with suspected ectopic pregnancy and the management of the patient diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy are discussed.