Clinical Profile of Obstetric Patients Admitted to the Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU) of an Inner-City Hospital in New York

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is associated with physiological and anatomical changes that usually occur uneventfully in majority of women. However, these changes can cause major maternal morbidity with potential catastrophic consequences. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of obstetric patients admitted to the MSICU of an inner-city hospital in New York. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was conducted among all the obstetric patients admitted to the MSICU between June 1, 2009 and June 30, 2012. RESULTS: A total of 19 obstetric patients were admitted to the MSICU between June 1, 2009 and June 30, 2012. The most common comorbidity on admission was hypertensive disorder. Hemodynamic unstability and shock was the most common admission diagnosis. The mean length of stay was 3.5 days. One patient died. CONCLUSIONS: Obstetric hemorrhage and pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders remains as the most common entities requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission among obstetric patients. A multidisciplinary team involvement is essential in the management of these patients.