Perimortem Cesarean Delivery for Maternal Cardiac Arrest

In the absence of a return of spontaneous circulation during maternal cardiac arrest, a perimortem cesarean section should be strongly considered as an integral component of maternal resuscitation. Uterine compression of the great vessels in the second–third trimesters may contribute to ineffective resuscitative measures. In addition, in the setting of ongoing maternal compromise, fetal outcome may be optimized by delivery. The rarity of maternal cardiac arrest poses a multitude of challenges in the effective application of a perimortem cesarean delivery. Nevertheless, perimortem cesarean delivery remains an essential rescue maneuver for women with periviable fetuses who do not respond to initial resuscitative maneuvers.