Can anesthesia improve the outcome in high risk obstertric patients?
Obstetric anesthetists should have an infrastructure that allows for referral and assessment of high risk patients. Management plans should be agreed well before delivery. This information must be available to other members of the team. Protocol for common high risk problems should be agreed and introduced. Promoting regional blockade for Cesarean section will reduce maternal anesthetic mortality. Epidural anesthesia preserves fetal biochemistry better than other forms of anesthesia.
Lyons
Gordon
G
St James' University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, United Kingdom. Gordon@epicure.un-net
D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D012307:Risk Factors