Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2017; 38(02): 191-200
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1602244
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Predictors of Maternal Mortality and Prognostic Models in Obstetric Patients

Andrew Levinson
1   Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
,
Jezid Miranda
2   Fetal i+D Fetal Medicine Research Center, IDIBAPS, Barcelona Center for Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (BCNatal), Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
,
Jose Antonio Rojas-Suarez
3   Intensive Care in Obstetric Research Group (GRICIO), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
22 May 2017 (online)

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Abstract

The use of predictive models has been proposed as a potential tool to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, by aiding in the timely identification of potential high-risk patients. Prognostic models in critical care have been used to characterize the severity of illness of specific diseases. Physiological changes in pregnancy may result in general critical illness prediction models overestimating mortality in obstetric patients. Models that specifically reflect the unique characteristics of obstetric patients may have better prognostic value. Recently developed tools have focused on identifying at-risk patients before they require intensive care unit (ICU) admission to target early interventions and prevent acute clinical decompensation. The aim of the newest scoring systems, specifically designed for groups of obstetric patients receiving non-ICU care, is to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality by identifying early high-risk patients and initiating prompt effective medical responses.