RESUMOObjetivo: estudar a mortalidade materna por hipertensão na gestação, estimando a razão de mortalidade e o perfil das pacientes que foram a óbito por esta causa. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo dos óbitos maternos devidos à hipertensão ocorridos na Maternidade-Escola Assis Chateaubriand da Universidade Federal do Ceará -MEAC/UFC, no período de 1981 a 2003. Foram avaliadas as razões de mortalidade materna geral (RMM) e específica para hipertensão e, nesta população de hipertensas, os dados epidemiológicos e clínicos. Resultados: registraram-se 296 casos de óbitos maternos e 184.672 nascidos vivos (NV), resultando em RMM de 160,28/100.000 NV. A causa de óbito mais freqüente foi hipertensão (41,2%), com 122 casos e média anual de 5,3 óbitos e RMM para hipertensão de 60,10/100.000 NV. Analisando-se o grupo de mortes por hipertensão verificou-se que a idade materna variou de 13 a 42 anos, com média de 26 anos. A maioria das pacientes originou-se do interior do estado. As mortes aconteceram principalmente nas primeiras 24 horas após a admissão hospitalar (50,9%). Houve predomínio de mortes em primigestas (40,3%) e na faixa entre 31 e 38 semanas (48,2%). A eclâmpsia ocorreu em 73 pacientes (64,1%), sendo mais prevalente durante a gestação (53,4%). Aconteceram 101 óbitos no período puerperal. Houve predomínio de cesárea (62,3%) e de anestesia geral (45,1%). A assistência pré-natal não foi realizada em 61,4% das pacientes. Conclusões: as razões de mortalidade materna geral e por hipertensão foram elevadas, sendo a hipertensão a principal causa de óbito materno em nossa maternidade. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Hipertensão/mortalidade; Gravidez/metabolismo; Complicações na gravidez; Mortalidade materna; Cuidado pré-natal; Estudos retrospectivos ABSTRACT Purpose: to study maternal mortality caused by hypertension during pregnancy, determining the mortality rate and the profile of those patients. Methods: a retrospective study of maternal mortality caused by hypertension at the Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand of the Universidade Federal do Ceará, from 1981 to 2003. General maternal mortality rate (MMR) and specific maternal mortality rate due to hypertension were evaluated, as well as these patients' epidemiological and clinical data. Results: two hundred and ninety six cases of maternal death and 184,672 of live births were recorded, with a MMR of 160.28/100.000 live births. The most frequent cause of death was hypertension (41.2%); with 122 cases and an annual average of 5.3 deaths, and hypertension MMR of 60.10/100,000 live births. The women's age range varied from 13 to 42 years with an average of 26 years. Most of the patients came from the interior of the state. Deaths occurred predominantly in the first 24 hours after admission to the hospital (50.9%). Deaths were predominant in the first pregnancy (40.3%) and in women with 31 to 38 weeks gestational age (48.2%). Eclampsia occurred in 73 patients (64.1%) and was predominant along the gestational period (53.4%). There were 101 deaths in the puerperium. Cesarean section (6...

the visualization of the facet joint by ultrasound involves minimal risk, besides reduction of radiation. This option is suitable for a large part of the population. However, fluoroscopy and computed tomography remain as monitoring techniques indicated for patients with specific characteristics, such as obesity, severe degenerative diseases and anatomical malformations, in which the ultrasound technique is still in need of further study.

The visualization of the facet joint by ultrasound involves minimal risk, besides reduction of radiation. This option is suitable for a large part of the population. However, fluoroscopy and computed tomography remain as monitoring techniques indicated for patients with specific characteristics, such as obesity, severe degenerative diseases and anatomical malformations, in which the ultrasound technique is still in need of further study.

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