Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
10:38

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies

Published on: January 16, 2019

Obstetric admissions to the intensive care unit: a 12-year review

Suleiman A Al-Suleiman1, Hatem O Qutub, Jessica Rahman

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
|January 25, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Critically ill obstetric patients admitted to the ICU had a 20% perinatal and 9.4% maternal mortality rate. Key causes included obstetric hemorrhage and hypertension, highlighting the need for improved management strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Critically ill obstetric patients require intensive care unit (ICU) admission.
  • Understanding the reasons for ICU admission and outcomes is crucial for improving maternal and perinatal health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence, causes, and outcomes of critically ill obstetric patients admitted to the ICU.
  • To identify key complications and mortality rates in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective data collection was performed over a 12-year period (May 1992 to April 2004).
  • Data included patient demographics, medical history, obstetric complications, ICU interventions, and patient outcomes.
  • All obstetric patients admitted to a multidisciplinary University hospital ICU were reviewed.

Main Results:

  • Obstetric admissions constituted 0.22% of all deliveries, with 84.4% admitted postpartum.
  • The primary reasons for admission were obstetric hemorrhage (32.8%) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (17.2%).
  • Major complications included adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and HELLP syndrome, with perinatal mortality at 20% and maternal mortality at 9.4%.

Conclusions:

  • A multidisciplinary team approach involving obstetricians, intensivists, and anesthesiologists is essential for optimal patient care.
  • Enhanced management strategies for obstetric hemorrhage and hypertension are vital to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn11:27

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Acute Respiratory Failure-II01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-II

Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Acute Respiratory Failure-I01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-I

Acute respiratory failure is a condition characterized by the inability of the lungs to perform their primary function: gas exchange. This failure leads to insufficient oxygen levels (hypoxemia) in the blood, elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia), or both, causing critical impairment in organ function.
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
Acute Respiratory Failure-III01:30

Acute Respiratory Failure-III

Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without causing...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis01:26

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis

Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...