Urgencias en obstetricia / Emergencies in obstetrics

Tradicionalmente, el embarazo es considerado un evento fisiológico. Sin embargo, cerca de un 20 por ciento de las embarazadas desarrolla patologías obstétricas que se asocian a mortalidad materna y perinatal. A nivel mundial, cada año medio millón de mujeres fallece durante el embarazo y parto debido a estas complicaciones. Desafortunadamente, un número significativo de las urgencias obstétricas ocurre en pacientes sin factores de riesgo, por lo que la prevención, identificación precoz e intervención a tiempo de estos eventos juegan un rol fundamental para contrarrestar un resultado perinatal adverso. En el presente capítulo hemos seleccionado las emergencias que concentran la mayor morbimortalidad de nuestra especialidad. Si bien algunas han quedado fuera, creemos que los temas aquí presentados representan las urgencias obstétricas más importantes que enfrentamos a diario, para las cuales debemos estar preparados con el fin de realizar un manejo óptimo del embarazo y parto para la obtención de un resultado perinatal favorable.

Traditionally, pregnancy is considered a physiologic condition. However, close to 20 percent of pregnant women develop obstetrical diseases that are associated to maternal and perinatal mortality. World wide, every year half a million of women die during pregnancy, labor and delivery due to these complications. Unfortunately, a significant number of obstetrical emergencies occur among patients without risk factors, so that prevention, early identification and timely intervention play a key role to overcome an adverse pregnancy outcome. In the present chapter, we have selected the emergencies that concentrate most of the morbidity and mortality of our field. Although some have not been included, we believe that the obstetrical emergencies presented here in represent the most important ones that we face daily, and for which we should be prepared in order to execute the best possible obstetrical care either during pregnancy or at the time of delivery to obtain a favourable perinatal outcome.

Amniotic fluid embolism

Amniotic fluid embolism, although fortunately rare, is one of the most catastrophic situations in obstetrics. It cannot be predicted nor prevented. The clinical events in this syndrome include respiratory failure, cardiopulmonary collapse, and disturbances of the clotting mechanism. Maintenance of oxygenation, circulatory support and correction of the coagulopathy can be life saving. Although maternal and fetal prognosis is grave, death need not be the inevitable outcome if diagnosis is made early and is followed by prompt and aggressive management. Future efforts must be directed towards more clearly delineating the presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis and outcome of amniotic fluid embolism