Placental Abruption Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes regarding the definition, risk factors, types, and management of placental abruption.

Antepartum hemorrhage

Bleeding from the genital tract occurring in pregnancy after $24$ weeks of gestation and before the onset of labor.

Placental abruption (abruptio placentae)

Partial or complete detachment of the placenta from the uterus before fetal delivery.

Revealed placental abruption

A placental abruption in which vaginal bleeding is present.

Concealed placental abruption

A placental abruption with no external bleeding, accounting for $<20\%$ of cases.

Decidua basalis

The maternal layer where the rupture of vessels occurs as the initiating event in the pathophysiology of placental abruption.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

A complication caused by tissue factor release from an abruption leading to widespread clotting, potential organ failure, and consumption of clotting factors.

Cardiotocography (CTG)

The main tool used to monitor fetal distress in placental abruption by assessing uterine contractions, heart rate, variability, accelerations, and decelerations.

Kleihauer-Betke test

A test that identifies fetal cells in maternal circulation by using acid exposure to distinguish fetal hemoglobin F from maternal hemoglobin A.

ABCU

A management mnemonic for immediate maternal stabilization: Airway, Breathing, Circulation + IV access + urine output chart.

Uteroplacental apoplexy

Another name for Couvelaire uterus, where blood infiltrates the uterine wall causing purple discoloration.

Couvelaire uterus

A rare complication of placental abruption where blood from the detached placenta infiltrates the uterine wall, leading to bluish or purplish discoloration and increased risk of atony/postpartum hemorrhage.

Magnesium sulfate

A medication added for neuroprotection during the management of stable placental abruption with minimal bleeding if the gestational age is $<32$ weeks.

Tachysystole

A state of frequent uterine contractions often associated with the tender, woody, or rigid uterus found in acute placental abruption.

Retroplacental hematoma

An ultrasound finding supporting a diagnosis of placental abruption where blood is seen behind a normally sited placenta.

Antenatal IM corticosteroids

Medications such as dexamethasone or betamethasone given to reduce perinatal mortality, neonatal RDS, and IVH when delivery is anticipated between $24$ and $35$ weeks.