• N G Mahutte, L Murphy-Kaulbeck, Q Le, J Solomon, A Benjamin, and M E Boyd.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Royal Victoria General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. nmahut1@po-box.mcgill.ca
• Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Aug 1; 94 (2): 263-6.

ObjectiveTo determine whether obstetric admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) are useful quality-assurance indicators.MethodsWe analyzed retrospectively obstetric ICU admissions at two tertiary care centers from 1991 to 1997.ResultsThe 131 obstetric admissions represented 0.3% of all deliveries. The majority (78%) of women were admitted to the ICU postpartum. Obstetric hemorrhage (26%) and hypertension (21%) were the two most common reasons for admission. Together with cardiac disease, respiratory disorders, and infection, they accounted for more than 80% of all admissions. Preexisting medical conditions were present in 38% of all admissions. The median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 8.5. The predicted mortality rate for the group was 10.0%, and the actual mortality rate was 2.3%.ConclusionThe most common precipitants of ICU admission were obstetric hemorrhage and uncontrolled hypertension. Improved management strategies for these problems may significantly reduce major maternal morbidity.

11 keywords...

hide…