Chemotherapy in the Emergency Department? There Is a Role for That: Methotrexate for Ectopic Pregnancy. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weant, Kyle A.; Bailey, Abby M.; Baum, Regan A.; Justice, Stephanie B.; Calhoun, Chara D.
• Other Names: Weant Kyle A. section editor.
• Is Part Of: Advanced emergency nursing journal. Volume 39:Number 1(2016)
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: ectopic pregnancy -- emergency department -- methotrexate -- pharmacy; Emergency nursing -- Periodicals; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1097/TME.0000000000000137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1931-4485

Abstract

Abstract : Approximately 1.6% of all emergency department (ED) visits in the United States are for vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy, translating to around 500, 000 ED visits per year. A potentially life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy occurs in 1.5%–2% of pregnancies. Many patients will require either surgical or pharmacological intervention following a positive diagnosis. With regard to pharmacological options, methotrexate, largely known for its use in the oncology arena, has emerged as the most effective nonsurgical option and the pharmacological agent of choice. However, this therapy is not without its own unique adverse event profile and patients should be adequately educated on the monitoring parameters of this pharmacotherapy.