Placental abruption is the early separation of a placenta from the lining of the uterus before completion of the second stage of labor. It is one of the causes of bleeding during the second half of pregnancy. Placental abruption is a relatively rare but serious complication of pregnancy and placed the well-being of both mother and fetus at risk. Placental abruption is also called abruptio placentae.

Etiology

The exact etiology of placental abruption is unknown. However, a number of factors are associated with its occurrence. Risk factors can be thought of in 3 groups: health history, including behaviors, and past obstetrical events, current pregnancy, and unexpected trauma. Factors that can be identified during the health history that increase the risk of placental abruption include smoking, cocaine use during pregnancy, maternal age over 35 years, hypertension, and placental abruption in a prior pregnancy. Conditions specific to the current pregnancy which may precipitate placental abruption are multiple gestation pregnancies, polyhydramnios, preeclampsia, sudden uterine decompression, and short umbilical cord. Finally, trauma to the abdomen such as a motor vehicle accident, fall, or violence resulting in a blow to the abdomen may lead to placental abruption.

Placental abruption occurs when there is a compromise of the vascular structures supporting the placenta. In other words, the vascular networks connecting the uterine lining and the maternal side of the placenta are torn away. These vascular structures deliver oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Disruption of the vascular network may occur when the vascular structures are compromised because of hypertension or substance use or by conditions that cause stretching of the uterus. The uterus is a muscle and is elastic whereas the placenta is less elastic than the uterus. Therefore, when the uterine tissue stretches suddenly, the placenta remains stable and the vascular structure connecting the uterine wall to the placenta tear away.

Epidemiology

Placental abruption is a relatively rare condition but requires emergent management. The majority of placental abruptions occur before 37-weeks gestation. Placental abruption is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality. With placental abruption, the woman is at risk for hemorrhage and the need for blood transfusions, hysterectomy, bleeding disorders specifically disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, renal failure, and Sheehan syndrome or postpartum pituitary gland necrosis.

With the availability of blood replacement, maternal death is rare but continues to be higher than the overall maternal mortality rate. Neonatal consequences include preterm birth and low birth weight, perinatal asphyxia, stillbirth, and neonatal death. In many countries, the rate of placental abruption has been increasing, even with improved obstetrical care and monitoring techniques. This suggests a multifactorial etiology that is not well understood.

Pathophysiology

Placental abruption occurs when the maternal vessels tear away from the placenta and bleeding occurs between the uterine lining and the maternal side of the placenta. As the blood accumulates, it pushes the uterine wall and placenta apart. The placenta is the fetus’ source of oxygen and nutrients as well as the way the fetus excretes waste products. Diffusion to and from the maternal circulatory system is essential to maintaining these life-sustaining functions of the placenta. When accumulating blood causes separation of the placenta from the maternal vascular network, these vital functions of the placenta are interrupted. If the fetus does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, it dies.

The clinical implications of a placental abruption vary based on the extent of the separation and the location of the separation. Placental abruption can be complete or partial and marginal or central. The classification of placental abruption is based on the following clinical findings:

Class 0: Asymptomatic

• Discovery of a blood clot on the maternal side of a delivered placenta
• Diagnosis is made retrospectively

Class 1: Mild

• No sign of vaginal bleeding or a small amount of vaginal bleeding.
• Slight uterine tenderness
• Maternal blood pressure and heart rate WNL
• No signs of fetal distress

Class 2: Moderate

• No sign of vaginal bleeding to a moderate amount of vaginal bleeding
• Significant uterine tenderness with tetanic contractions
• Change in vital signs: maternal tachycardia, orthostatic changes in blood pressure.
• Evidence of fetal distress
• Clotting profile alteration: hypofibrinogenemia

Class 3: Severe

• No sign of vaginal bleeding to heavy vaginal bleeding
• Tetanic uterus/ board-like consistency on palpation
• Maternal shock
• Clotting profile alteration: hypofibrinogenemia and coagulopathy
• Fetal death

Classification of 0 or 1 is usually associated with a partial, marginal separation; whereas, classification of 2 or 3 is associated with complete or central separation.

Histopathology

Once the placenta has been delivered, the presence of a retroplacental clot is almost always seen. In some cases, there may be evidence of blood extravasation into the myometrium- resulting in purple discoloration of the serosa of the uterus.

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History and Physical

Placental abruption is one of the causes of vaginal bleeding in the second half of pregnancy. A focused history and physical is critical to differentiate placental abruption and other causes of vaginal bleeding. Because a definitive diagnosis of placental abruption can only be made after birth when the placenta is examined the history and physical examination are critical to the appropriate management of the maternal/fetal dyad. Placental abruption is a potentially life-threatening situation. Therefore, accurate assessment of the patient is critical to developing an appropriate management plan and to prevent a potentially poor outcome.

The history begins with a review of the prenatal course, especially placental location on prior sonograms and if there is a history of placental abruption in previous pregnancies. Exploring the woman’s behaviors, specifically whether she smokes or uses cocaine is a critical component of history. Asking about potential trauma, especially in the abdominal area needs to be done in a tactful and supportive manner. Especially in situations of partner abuse, the woman may be reluctant to reveal that she sustained trauma to her abdomen.

The most useful mechanism for recognizing the onset of placental abruption is an assessment of the patient. The physical examination includes palpation of the uterus. The uterus is palpated for tenderness, consistency, and frequency and duration of uterine contractions, if present. The vaginal area is inspected for the presence of bleeding. However, a digital examination of the cervix should be delayed until a sonogram is obtained for placental location and to rule out a placenta previa. If bleeding is present, the quantity and characteristic of the blood, as well as the presence of clots, is evaluated. Remember, the absence of vaginal bleeding does not eliminate the diagnosis of placental abruption.

Evaluation of vital signs to detect tachycardia or hypotension, which may be indicators of a concealed hemorrhage are taken. Blood specimens such as a complete blood count (CBC), fibrinogen, clotting profile, and type and RH may be collected. These laboratory values will not aid in the diagnosis of placental abruption but will provide baseline data against which to evaluate the patient’s condition over time.

Evaluation of fetal well-being is also included in the examination. Begin with auscultation of fetal heart sounds and ask about fetal movement, specifically recent changes in activity patterns. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring is initiated to identify prolonged bradycardia, decreased variability, and the presence of late decelerations.

Evaluation

There are no laboratory tests or diagnostic procedures to definitively diagnose placental abruption. However, some studies may be conducted in the effort to eliminate other conditions as well as to provide baseline data.

An ultrasound examination is useful in determining the placental location and eliminating the diagnosis of placenta previa. However, the sensitivity of ultrasound in visualizing placental abruption is low. During the acute phase of placental abruption, the hemorrhage is isoechoic or similar to the surrounding placental tissue. Therefore, visualization and differentiation of the concealed hemorrhage associated with placental abruption from the surrounding placental tissue are difficult.

A biophysical profile may be used in the management of patients with marginal placental abruption who are being conservatively treated. A score of 6 or below is an indicator of compromised fetal status.

Blood work, including a CBC, clotting studies (fibrinogen and PT/a-PTT), and BUN provide baseline parameters to evaluate changes in the patient’s status. A type and Rh have been obtained if a blood transfusion is necessary.

A Kleihauer-Betke test, which detects fetal blood cells in maternal circulation may be ordered. A Kleihauer-Betke test does not diagnose the presence of placental abruption but quantifies the presence of fetal blood into the maternal circulation. This knowledge is important in women who are Rh-negative, because the mixing of fetal blood in the maternal circulation may lead to isoimmunization. Therefore, if a significant fetal-maternal bleed is present, the Kleihauer-Betke test results will help to determine the needed dose of Rh (D) immune globulin to prevent isoimmunization.

Treatment / Management

The onset of placental abruption is often unexpected, sudden, and intense and requires immediate treatment. Prehospital care for the patient with a suspected placental abruption requires advanced life support and transport to a hospital with a full-service obstetrical unit and a neonatal intensive care unit. Following arrival at the hospital, most women will receive intravenous (IV) fluids and supplemental oxygen as well as continuous maternal and fetal monitoring, while the history and physical is completed. Subsequent treatment will vary based on the data collected during the assessment, the gestation of the pregnancy, and the degree of distress being experienced by the woman and/or the fetus.

Women classified with a class 1 or mild placental abruption and no signs of maternal or fetal distress and pregnancy less than 37 weeks gestation may be managed conservatively. These patients are usually admitted to the obstetrical unit for close monitoring of maternal and fetus status. Intravenous access and blood work for type and cross-match is part of the plan of care. The maternal-fetal dyad will continue to be monitored until there is a change in condition or until fetal maturity is reached.

If the collected data results in class 2 (moderate) or class 3 (severe) classification and the fetus is viable and alive, delivery is necessary. Because of the hypertonic contractions, a vaginal birth may occur rapidly. Given the potential for coagulopathy, vaginal birth presents less risk to the mother. However, if there are signs of fetal distress an emergency cesarean birth is necessary to protect the fetus. During the surgical procedure, careful management of fluids and circulatory volume is important. Post-operatively the patient needs to be monitored for postpartum hemorrhage and alterations in the clotting profile. A neonatal team needs to be present in the delivery room to receive and manage the infant.

Differential Diagnosis

Bleeding during the second half of pregnancy is usually due to either placental abruption or placenta previa.  Differentiating these 2 conditions is important to the care of the patient. The information below compares the presentation of placental abruption and placenta previa on common parameters included in an obstetrical examination.

• The onset of symptoms is sudden and intense for placental abruption but quiet and insidious for placenta previa
• Bleeding may be visible or concealed with placental abruption and is external and visible with placenta previa
• The degree of anemia or shock is greater than the visible blood loss in placental abruption and is equal to the blood loss in placenta previa.
• Pain is intense and acute in placental abruption and is unrelated to placenta previa.
• The uterine tone is firm and board-like in placental abruption and soft and relaxed in placenta previa.

Prognosis

The prognosis depends on when the patient presents to the hospital. If the bleeding continues, both maternal and fetal lives are at stake. Partial placenta separation is associated with low mortality compared to full separation; however in both cases, without an emergent cesarean section, fetal demise may occur. Today, the condition accounts for 5 to 8% of maternal deaths.

Complications

• Severe hemorrhage
• Fetal demise
• Maternal death
• Delivering premature infant
• Coagulopathy
• Transfusion-associated complications
• Hysterectomy
• Cesarean section means future deliveries will all be via cesarean section
• Recurrence has been reported in 4 to 12% of cases
• Increased risk of adverse cardiac events have been reported in women with placental abruption