This protocol addresses the escalation step in managing placental abruption: the point at which initial maternal stabilization with intravenous fluid resuscitation alone has proven insufficient and hemorrhagic deterioration continues to progress.
The first-line approach — initial maternal stabilization via crystalloid resuscitation, without transfusion — is considered to have failed when vital signs do not stabilize: specifically, when the heart rate does not fall below 100 bpm or urine output does not exceed 30 mL per hour. This failure defines the threshold for escalation to the present protocol.
The clinical goal is an appropriate response to the escalated intervention, defined by stabilization of vital signs with heart rate below 100 bpm.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.06.059