Pregnant patients in the intensive care unit: a descriptive analysis.
We present a descriptive analysis of experience with pregnant women in the intensive care units at a tertiary hospital. During the period from 1983 through 1990, 38 women were admitted to our intensive care units during their pregnancy or within 2 weeks postpartum. This was a rate of 1 per 400 pregnant patients. The mean age of these 38 women was 25 years; 68% of them were white and 32% were primigravidas. Nineteen of the 38 women were mechanically ventilated. Twelve women were admitted for hypertensive disease and 10 for adult respiratory distress syndrome. Maternal mortality was 18% (7/38). Follow-up was available for 33 women. The fetal and neonatal loss rate in this group was 4 of 33 pregnancies. In this case series of 38 very ill women, it was apparent that a team approach of obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and intensive care workers provided optimal management for the mother and child.
Monaco
T J
TJ
Department of Anesthesia, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill.
Spielman
F J
FJ
Katz
V L
VL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*