A complex obstetric case. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoy, Michael; Flavin, Kate; Prasad, Venkat
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Intensive Care Society. Volume 18:Number 3(2017:Aug.)
• Page Start: 239
• Page End: 243
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Peripartum cardiomyopathy -- pre-eclampsia -- sepsis -- obstetrics; Critical care medicine -- Periodicals; Intensive care units -- Periodicals; 616.028
• DOI: 10.1177/1751143717700910
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-1437

Abstract

A 33-year-old primigravida presented with severe sepsis, severe pre-eclampsia, peripartum cardiomyopathy and the haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets syndrome manifesting over the course of 24 h causing a diagnostic conundrum and a difficult sequence of physiological problems to overcome. We describe a previously unreported sequence of events involving a pre-eclamptic, septic parturient to improve anaesthetic and intensive care physician awareness of confounding factors that complicate assessment and management of these patients.