Placental Abruption after Bricanyl Injection Prior to External Cephalic Version: A Case Report

Breech presentation occurs in 3%-4% of all term pregnancies and an ECV is in general accepted as a safe procedure [1,2]. ECV has shown to reduce the number of Caesarean deliveries and noncephalic presentations at term [3]. Tocolysis is often used to inducing myometrial relaxation of the uterus and hereby delaying preterm delivery or facilitating successful ECV [4,5]. Tocolysis is contraindicated if placental abruption is suspected or diagnosed [6].
Placental abruption (also referred to as abruption placentae or PA) is defined as bleeding at the decidual-placental interface, which complicates approximately 0.4% to 1% of all pregnancies [7,8]. PA causes a life-threatening emergency with partial or complete placental detachment prior to delivery [8]. Therefore, early diagnosis of placental abruption is important [9]. Fetal survival depends on the severity of the abruption, gestational age and early intervention, including lateness in performing CS [9,10].
The purpose of this clinically oriented case report is to draw attention to the risk of Bricanyl and the potential association to PA.