Obstetrical causes of maternal mortality. Results of pathoanatomical examinations

Objective. To study the main causes of maternal mortality and to determine the role of obstetrical pathologies based on the findings of pathoanatomical autopsies. Materials and methods. The study included 42 autopsy findings, we studied medical documentation, autopsy records of deceased pregnant and parturient women. The most common causes of mortality (n = 29), according to the latest revision of ICD-10, were analyzed in detail. The general clinical and morphological examination was performed. Results. In Moscow, more than half of cases in the structure of maternal mortality refer to obstetrical pathologies. The most significant role belongs to preeclampsia and eclampsia (28.6%), they are in most cases characterised by an atypical clinical course and a specific pathomorphological picture. The second place is taken by massive pulmonary embolism (9.5%), the third place belongs to maternal shock during labour (7%) and the fourth place is shared by intrapartum infection (obstetrical sepsis), complications associated with obstetrical operative intervention and procedures, postpartum cerebral venous thrombosis, amniotic fluid embolism, postpartum cardiomyopathy (4.8%). Conclusion. The leading position in the structure of maternal mortality due to obstetrical causes belongs to preeclampsia and eclampsia. This pathology requires a complex approach to diagnosis and treatment, and postmortem verification of diagnosis should be confirmed by morphological examination with the use of immunohistochemical reactions. Key words: maternal mortality, obstetric pathology, preeclampsia and eclampsia, pulmonary embolism, maternal shock, obstetrical sepsis