Table 4

Most common primary reasons for admission to the critical care unit for indirect or coincidental obstetric admissions

ICNARC Coding Method condition

n

% of indirect obstetric admissions

Status epilepticus or uncontrolled seizures

19

4.2

Asthma attack in new or known asthmatic

16

3.6

Septic shock

16

3.6

Pneumonia, no organism isolated

15

3.3

Noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema (ARDS)

11

2.4

Anaphylaxis

10

2.2

Cardiogenic pulmonary oedema

10

2.2

Pulmonary embolus (thrombus)

10

2.2

Septicaemia

9

2.0

Bacterial pneumonia

8

1.8

Acute renal failure, other cause^a

7

1.6

Hypovolaemic shock

7

1.6

Pelvic infection or abscess

7

1.6

Acute pancreatitis

6

1.3

Epidural injection or infusion

6

1.3

Appendicitis or appendix abscess

5

1.3

Intracerebral bleeding

5

1.1

Phaeochromocytoma

5

1.1

Spinal injection or infusion

5

1.1

Supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation or flutter

5

1.1

Toxic or drug-induced coma or encephalopathy

5

1.1

Viral pneumonia

5

1.1

Conditions accounting for five or more indirect or coincidental obstetric admissions. ^aNot due to infection, haemodynamic, toxic, or drug causes. ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Harrison et al. Critical Care 2005 9(Suppl 3):S25   doi:10.1186/cc3542