title: Infection and extramural delivery with use of digoxin as a feticidal agent.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many abortion providers use digoxin to induce fetal demise prior to dilation and evacuation (D&E). Our primary objective was to examine the frequency of infection and extramural delivery following digoxin use.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective single-cohort study. Inclusion criteria were all women between 18 and 24 weeks of estimated gestational age who received digoxin in preparation for D&E at our outpatient facility. We queried two electronic databases to collect data on the frequency of extramural delivery and the rate of perioperative infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2008, 4906 abortions were performed between 18 and 24 weeks of estimated gestation with digoxin injection administered as feticidal agent 1 day prior to D&E. Extramural delivery frequency was 0.30%, and infection frequency was 0.04%. There were no significant differences in the frequency of extramural deliveries across procedure year (p = .2), estimated gestational age (p = .3), race/ethnicity (p = .2) or maternal age (p = .3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rates of extramural delivery and infection are acceptably low following digoxin use prior to scheduled D&E.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. rachelst@usc.edu
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Steward
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Melamed
authors: Renita
authors: R
authors: Kim
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Nucatola
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Gatter
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D004077:Digoxin