title: Ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: Ectopic pregnancy occurs in approximately 2% of all pregnancies in the United States, and is the nation's leading cause of first trimester maternal death. Its incidence has increased sixfold in the past 25 years, despite significant improvements in techniques for early diagnosis and management. This article reviews the epidemiology, risk factors, and common clinical presentations of ectopic pregnancy. Both traditional and newly developed strategies for diagnosis and management are described. The primary care physician is in an excellent position to screen for and diagnose ectopic pregnancy, and to counsel patients regarding treatment options and future risks. With the increasing trend toward outpatient nonsurgical management of ectopics, it is expected that the roll of the primary care physician in managing patients with ectopic pregnancy will continue to increase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Georgetown University/Providence Hospital Family Practice Residency Program, Washington, DC, USA. CarrR@gucfm.georgetown.edu
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000465:Algorithms; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012489:Salpingostomy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D008727:Methotrexate