title: hCG in ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: Ectopic pregnancies remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in women of reproductive age. Management of these pregnancies has changed dramatically over the years. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone composed of 2 dissimilar subunits, alpha and beta, joined non-covalently. The free beta-subunit is the principal immuno-reactive agent in pregnancy serum samples. Improved diagnostic methods using hCG levels in combination with transvaginal ultrasound have lead to earlier detection rates, subsequent treatment and a reduction in mortality resulting from ectopic pregnancies. This chapter will describe current trends in ectopic pregnancy diagnosis based on hCG levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Visconti
authors.forename: Nikki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zite
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000517:prevention & control; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000517:prevention & control; D012489:Salpingostomy; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D008727:Methotrexate