Pre-eclampsia-eclampsia admitted to critical care unit.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate women with hypertensive disorder admitted to critical care unit.

METHODS

This study was carried out in Cartagena, Colombia, between January 2006 and December 2009. Patients were divided into 4 groups; severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome and HELLP with eclampsia (HEEH).

RESULT: A total of 217 cases were admitted. The admitting diagnoses were severe pre-eclampsia without HELLP syndrome (39.2%), HELLP syndrome without eclampsia (33.6%), eclampsia without HELLP syndrome (20.3%) and Eclampsia with HELLP syndrome or HEEH (6.9%). Groups were similar with respect to parity (p = 0.25), gestational age (p = 0.11), cesarean section (p = 0.58), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.54), level of systolic (p = 0.48) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.15) and inotropic support (p = 0.32). Average total duration of hospitalization was significantly different among groups, more time in women with HEEH (p = 0.001). Multiple organ dysfunctions was diagnosed > 70% of all women admitted to intensive care, but was significantly more frequent in patients with HELLP syndrome and HEEH (p = 0.001). There were 5 maternal deaths (2.3%). Causes of maternal death were intracranial hemorrhage (3), intra-abdominal bleeding (1) and pulmonary complications (1).

CONCLUSION

Women with HELLP syndrome with or without eclampsia are associated with major morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the maternal outcome in eclampsia is influenced for HELLP syndrome.