ABSTRACT
A 2022 CDC report suggested that more than 80% of maternal mortalities following maternal cardiac arrest (MCA) could have been prevented. Most of the causes of MCA will result in demonstrable changes in symptoms and vital signs prior to the development of cardiac arrest. This chapter reviews how vital signs can be used with tools such as maternal early warning systems to assist with detecting the deteriorating maternal status. It provides examples of scoring systems that can be integrated into clinical practice for early detection of deteriorating maternal status, and describes management strategies and escalation protocols that have been utilized in response to change in status. The chapter explains how to recognize the presenting symptoms and signs of the most common causes leading to MCA. It outlines the common symptoms and conditions and the normal physiologic changes throughout pregnancy that may mask serious conditions.
