22nd August 2023

A 28-year-old woman at 32 weeks gestation is brought into the emergency room complaining of sudden-onset abdominal pain

A 28-year-old woman at 32 weeks gestation is brought into the emergency room complaining of sudden-onset abdominal pain. On examination, her abdomen is rigid and tender, and there is dark red vaginal bleeding. Foetal heart tones are absent.

In this case, what is the most likely cause of foetal heart tones being absent?