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 causea
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