Obstetric admissions to the intensive care unit.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether obstetric admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) are useful quality-assurance indicators.


METHODS
We analyzed retrospectively obstetric ICU admissions at two tertiary care centers from 1991 to 1997.


RESULTS
The 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%.


CONCLUSIONS
The most common precipitants of ICU admission were obstetric hemorrhage and uncontrolled hypertension. Improved management strategies for these problems may significantly reduce major maternal morbidity.
Mahutte
N G
NG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Royal Victoria General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. nmahut1@po-box.mcgill.ca
Murphy-Kaulbeck
L
L
Le
Q
Q
Solomon
J
J
Benjamin
A
A
Boyd
M E
ME
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies