Department of Emergency Medicine

UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Placental Abruption

Category: Obstetrics & Gynecology

Keywords: Placenta, Abruption, Vaginal Bleed, Third Trimester (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/20/2007 by Michael Bond, MD (Updated: 2/5/2025)
Click here to contact Michael Bond, MD

Placental Abruption

  • Leading cause of fetal death (1-80 pregnancy)
  • Evaluation
    • Ultrasound has very poor sensitivity
    • Can check D-Dimer, Coags, Fibrinogen and Fibrin Split Products
    • For a stable patient MRI can make diagnosis.
    • Fetal monitoring (minimum four hours) where fetal distress and uterine contractions are seen.
  • Risk factors for Placental Abruption
    • Hypertension
    • Pre-eclampsia
    • Diabetes
    • Trauma
    • Smoking
    • Cocaine
    • Advanced maternal age
  • Treatment
    • C-Section

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