'maternal cause-specific' mortality in cardiac arrest

Q: Which of the following is found to be the leading 'maternal cause-specific' mortality in cardiac arrest in the United States?

A) Postpartum hemorrhage
B) Antepartum hemorrhage
C) Amniotic fluid embolism
D) Sepsis
E) Anesthesia complications


Answer: A

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) over fifteen years from 1998 to 2011 from 4843 patients looked for 'maternal cause-specific' mortalities in cardiac arrest. Although there was a long list of causes but almost 28% of women die due to postpartum hemorrhage followed by about 17% due to antepartum hemorrhage. Other three leading causes were heart failure, amniotic fluid embolism, and sepsis.

Causes also include anesthesia complications, aspiration pneumonitis, venous thromboembolism, eclampsia, magnesium toxicity, status asthmaticus, aortic dissection, and others.

#ob-GYN


Reference: 

Mhyre JM, Tsen LC, Einav S, et al. Cardiac Arrest during Hospitalization for Delivery in the United States, 1998-2011. Anesthesiology 2014; 120:810