Anesthesia for the Pregnant Patient Undergoing Intracranial Procedures.

Abstract

This focused review explores the current literature on anesthetic care of pregnant patients requiring intracranial intervention. Neuropathology in pregnancy is rare, and existing evidence for management remains limited by the ethical complexities surrounding maternal and fetal research-related risks; pregnant women are typically excluded from randomized controlled trials. Physiological changes during pregnancy, combined with additional fetal considerations, alter pharmacodynamics and complicate the safety profile of maternal interventions. This review highlights the complex interplay between the physiological changes of pregnancy and common neuropathologies in this patient population. Up-to-date strategies for managing elevated maternal intracranial pressure, appropriate timing of delivery relative to neurosurgical intervention, and key medications in neuro-interventional and obstetrical care are described. The appropriateness of imaging, current evidence in stroke management, and consideration for neuraxial anesthesia and awake surgery in pregnant patients are also addressed. Emphasis is placed on the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure safe, patient-centered care tailored to neuropathology, gestational age, and clinical status. Despite recent advances, significant gaps in evidence persist. Further research from large retrospective or observational data sets is recommended to improve evidence-based approaches for managing this complex and uncommon patient population.