Abortion Flashcards
1
Q
Definition of abortion
A
Detachment or expulsion of the pre-viable ovum
2
Q
Classification of abortion
A
- criminal
- spontaneous
- therapeutic
- accidental
3
Q
How are criminal abortions possible procured?
A
- drugs and chemicals
- instrumentation
- general violence
4
Q
How might an instrumental abortion cause death?
A
- reflex shock
- haemorrhage
- infection
- embolism (pulmonary air, amniotic fluid, soap/detergent)
5
Q
How might pulmonary air embolism interfere with heart function?
A
- blockage of pulmonary artery by froth with arrest of pulmonary circulation
- obstruction of arterioles in lunges with multiple emboli
- neurogenic cardiac arrest due to sudden dilatation of the pulmonary valve ring
6
Q
Volume of air having fatal effect in arterial air embolism
A
- 1-300ml
7
Q
Volume of air having fatal effect in systemic venous air embolism
A
- +50ml affects pump function of heart
8
Q
Volume of air having fatal effect in pulmonary venous air embolism
A
- 1ml may block coronary or cerebral vessels
9
Q
Processes that should be performed at autopsy in case of abortion
A
- examine vulva, vagina, fornices, cervix, body of utereus
- histoogical secions
- ovaries examined for corpus luteum
- expression of fluid from breasts
- products of conception and ageing of fetus
- test for possible air embolism
- regional radiological examinations
10
Q
How do they test for air embolism?
A
- ligate main arterial and venous trunks
- incision through parietal pericaridum
- fill pericardial sac with water
- open right ventricle
- if air present in RV, will bubble up and can be collected in jar for analysis
