Anjan Trikha

One of the most important causes of maternal mortality is major obstetric haemorrhage. Major haemorrhage can occur in parturients either during the antepartum period, during delivery, or in the postpartum period. Early recognition and a multidisciplinary team approach in the management are the cornerstones of improving the outcome of such cases. The management consists of fluid resuscitation, administration of blood and blood products, conservative measures such as uterine cavity tamponade and sutures, and finally hysterectomy. Blood transfusion strategies have changed over the last decade with emphasis on use of fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and fibrinogen. Point-of-care testing for treating coagulopathies promptly and interventional radiological procedures have further revolutionized the management of such cases.

J Anaesth Clin Pharmacol, Official publication of Research Society of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology,India

J Anaesth Clin Pharmacol, Official publication of Research Society of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology,India

Obstetric patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) present a challenge to an intensivist because of normal physiological changes associated with pregnancy and puerperium, the specific medical diseases peculiar to pregnancy and the need to take care of both the mother and the foetus. Most common causes of admission to an ICU for obstetric patients are eclampsia, severe preeclampsia, haemorrhage, congenital and valvular heart disease, septic abortions, severe anemia, cardiomyopathy and non-obstetric sepsis. The purpose of this review is to present the recent concepts in critical care management of obstetric patients with special focus mainly on ventilatory strategies, treatment of shock and nutrition. The details regarding management of individual diseases would not be discussed as these would be beyond the purview of this article. In addition, some specific issues of importance while managing such patients would also be highlighted.