placenta accreta
Pronunciation: plah-SEN-tah ah-KREE-tah
An abnormal placental implantation where chorionic villi attach too deeply to the uterine wall, preventing normal separation at delivery.
Full Definition
Placenta accreta is a serious obstetric condition where the placenta attaches abnormally deep into the uterine wall, making normal separation at delivery impossible. The condition exists on a spectrum: accreta (attached to myometrium), increta (invading into myometrium), and percreta (penetrating through myometrium and potentially into adjacent organs). Risk factors include prior cesarean delivery, placenta previa, advanced maternal age, and multiple pregnancies. Diagnosis is often made by ultrasound or MRI during pregnancy. Management typically requires multidisciplinary planning and may necessitate hysterectomy at delivery due to massive hemorrhage risk. The condition has increased dramatically with rising cesarean delivery rates.
Usage
Usage note: Part of spectrum including increta and percreta. Accreta specifically refers to attachment level, not invasion depth.
In Context
- "MRI findings were consistent with placenta accreta, prompting multidisciplinary delivery planning." — Radiologic report
- "The patient required cesarean hysterectomy due to placenta accreta with invasion into the bladder wall." — Operative report