Cardiac arrest during pregnancy.

Cardiac arrest occurs rarely in pregnancy. Nevertheless, the practicing obstetrician stands a likely chance of encountering this acute condition at least once over the course of a busy career. A basic understanding of maternal-fetal physiology and the acute management of cardiac arrest are of key importance. ECC is not significantly changed from that administered to the nonpregnant patient. Factors unique to pregnancy, however, such as lateral uterine displacement, effects of drugs on the mother and the fetus, and the issues of perimortem cesarean section should be understood by the consulting obstetrician. The critical period in management of these patients is within the first several minutes of the event. In many situations, the obstetrician may be the first to arrive and initiate therapy before the arrival of multidisciplinary assistance. Prompt initial management will give the mother and fetus the best chances for survival.