Clinical characteristics and outcomes of pregnancy related patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a 1 year review

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology MMed (O&G) Johannesburg January 2017Background and objectives Pregnancy can be associated with life threatening complications of pregnancy specific disease and delivery, as well as the exacerbation of preexisting comorbid disease, which requires multidisciplinary critical care. Studies have shown that advancement in medical care and access to intensive care units have been instrumental in the global decline in maternal mortality rates, particularly in developed countries. The aim of this study was to describe the admissions to ICU of all pregnant women including those with pregnancy related complications at CHBAH tertiary hospital in South Africa. Methods The study was a retrospective review of pregnant women, including pregnancy related complications, admitted to CHBAH ICU for the year of 2012. Baseline demographic data, admission diagnosis, laboratory information and acute physiological and chronic health evaluation score (APACHE II), intervention and outcomes were recorded using ICU records and general hospital records. Descriptive statistical analysis employed. Results In 2012 there were 21765 deliveries at CHBAH with 76 pregnancy related admissions to the ICU. Complete ICU data was available in 73 women. The incidence of ICU admission at the hospital was 3.5 per 1000 deliveries. The mortality rate in this group in ICU was 8.2%. The most common indication for admission was haemorrhage (43.8%) followed by medical and surgical disorders (23.3%), then sepsis (21.9%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (11%). The majority of the women (98.3%) were admitted in the postpartum period. Mechanical ventilation was required in 77% of the women, inotropic support in 29% and 59% received blood transfusion products. APACHE II scoring system overestimated the possible mortality rate giving a predicted mortality rate of 15%. Conclusion Haemorrhage was the most common indication for admission to ICU. This does not concur with previous South African studies where hypertension was the most common reason for admission followed by haemorrhage. The study showed an overall mortality concurrent with some first world studies and significantly lower than cited South African studies.MT201