Successful management of live ectopic pregnancy with high beta-hCG titres by ultrasound-guided potassium chloride injection and systemic methotrexate

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2009 Nov;280(5):799-801. doi: 10.1007/s00404-009-0983-6. Epub 2009 Feb 20.

Abstract

Background: Methotrexate (Mtx) is accepted modality for conservative treatment of ectopic pregnancy. However, there is no consensus regarding its use in live ectopic pregnancy and high serum beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) titres.

Case report: We report a successful management of live ectopic pregnancy in a 27-year-old nulliparous woman, with very high beta-hCG titres (89,200 mIU/mL), using ultrasound-guided intra-sac potassium chloride (KCl) injection and systemic Mtx. Successful resolution of the ectopic pregnancy, with negative serum beta-hCG (<1 mIU/mL) was achieved after three doses of Mtx, and a prolonged follow-up of 71 days. No treatment related complications were encountered.

Conclusion: Concurrent use of intra-sac hypertonic KCl, to produce cardiac asystole, with systemic Mtx could potentially improve outcome in live ectopic gestations with very high serum beta-hCG titres. However, individualised treatment, with a stringent follow-up regime is mandatory in such cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage*
  • Potassium Chloride / administration & dosage*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / blood*
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Methotrexate