Key result
Anesthesia complications account for ~2% of pregnancy-associated deaths.
Why the study?
Anesthesia-related maternal deaths had not been recently reviewed since the years 1972–1984, necessitating updated analysis for 1985 to 2003.
Observational (n=855)
Hypoventilation or airway obstruction during emergence from anesthesia remains a critical contributor to anesthesia-related maternal mortality.
related maternal deaths were most recently reviewed for the years 1972–1984. Methods: Records for pregnancy-associated deaths between 1985 and 2003 were reviewed to identify 25 cases associated with a perioperative arrest or major anesthetic complication. Four obstetric anesthesiologists independently classified these cases, and disagreements were resolved by discussion. Precise definitions of anesthesia-related and anesthesia-contributing maternal death were constructed. Anesthesia-related deaths were reviewed to identify the chain of medical errors or care management problems that contributed to each patient death. Results: Of 855 pregnancy-associated deaths, 8 were anesthe-sia-related and 7 were anesthesia-contributing. There were no deaths during induction of general anesthesia. Five resulted from hypoventilation or airway obstruction during emergence,
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Mhyre et al. (2008) conducted an observational in Pregnancy-associated deaths (n=855). Anesthesia was evaluated on Anesthesia-related and anesthesia-contributing maternal deaths. Anesthesia-related complications accounted for 8 deaths and contributed to 7 deaths among 855 pregnancy-associated deaths in Michigan between 1985 and 2003.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: