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Fig. 1
Volume of hemoperitoneum (mL) v patient's lowest ED systolic blood pressure (mmHg) and regression plot.
Fig. 2
Volume of hemoperitoneum (mL) v patient's highest ED heart rate (beats/min) and regression plot.
Fig. 3
Patient's highest ED heart rate (beats/min) v lowest ED systolic blood pressure (mmHg) and regression plot.
Abstract
The objective was to determine correlation between vital signs and hemoperitoneum in ruptured ectopic pregnancy. A retrospective chart review of ectopic pregnancies at our urban county hospital between 1990 and 1998 was conducted. Fifty-one cases met inclusion criteria. Mean minimum systolic blood pressure (SBP) 89mmHg (range 40-118), mean maximum heart rate (HR) 101 beats/min (range 62-156). Mean volume of hemoperitoneum 1,050 mL (range 400-2,000 mL). Correlation between vital signs and volume of hemoperitoneum was poor (R2 = 0.04 for HR, R2 = 0.1 for SBP). Association of tachycardia with hypotension was also poor (R2 = 0.1). Extreme individual variations were observed. If surgical decisions were made on the basis of hypotension, 38% of patients could have received either inappropriate additional studies or surgical approach. Patients with normal vital signs had a 20% chance of having class IV blood loss at surgery. HR and blood pressure do not correlate well with volumes of hemoperitoneum from ruptured ectopic pregnancy. (Am J Emerg Med 2001;19:488-491. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company)
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