scholarly journals Sudden Maternal Death from Suspected Amniotic Fluid Embolism and a Dead Baby Delivered with Natal Teeth

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-56
Author(s):  
Faiza Kamran Ali ◽  
Feriha Fatima Khidri ◽  
Kamran Ali Shahani ◽  
Rafia Shah
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Woman ◽  
Sudden Death ◽  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Amniotic Fluid Embolism ◽  
Cardiovascular Collapse ◽  
Rare Presentation ◽  
Rare Finding ◽  
Natal Teeth ◽  
Obstetric Emergencies

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare presentation in obstetric emergencies that carries great risk for the life of both mother and fetus. It is usually characterized by sudden cardiovascular collapse, respiratory distress and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Here we present a case of sudden death of a pregnant woman due to suspected AFE. We also present a rare finding of natal teeth in her deceased baby, which along with reported AFE in the mother, is an unlikely event in the medical literature.

Clinical Presentation and Treatment of Amniotic Fluid Embolism

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Marie McBride
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Fetal Distress ◽  
Fetal Tissue ◽  
Amniotic Fluid Embolism ◽  
Respiratory Compromise ◽  
Maternal Circulation ◽  
Average Case ◽  
Obstetric Emergencies

Obstetric emergencies often require intensive care intervention. Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare, unpredictable, and often catastrophic complication of pregnancy that is suspected in a woman who experiences cardiac arrest after a cesarean section. The condition occurs in approximately 1 in 40 000 births and has an average case-fatality rate of 16%. This complication may result from activation of an inflammatory response to fetal tissue in the maternal circulation. Risk factors may include maternal age over 35 years and conditions in which fluid can exchange between the maternal and fetal circulations. The presentation is abrupt, with profound cardiovascular and respiratory compromise, encephalopathy, fetal distress, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Diagnosis is by exclusion and clinical presentation. Treatment is supportive, with a focus on reversal of hypoxia and hypotension, delivery of the fetus, and correction of coagulopathy. Staff debriefing and psychological support for the woman and family are vital.

Temporary Extracorporeal Circulatory Support and Pulmonary Embolectomy for Catastrophic Amniotic Fluid Embolism

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Firstenberg ◽  
Erik Abel ◽  
Danielle Blais ◽  
Katja Turner ◽  
Mona Halim-Armanios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Medical Management ◽  
Amniotic Fluid Embolism ◽  
Circulatory Support ◽  
Cardiovascular Collapse ◽  
Pulmonary Embolectomy ◽  
Healthy Pregnancy ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Life Threatening Complication

Amniotic fluid embolism is usually a life-threatening complication of an otherwise healthy pregnancy. Medical management of the coagulopathy and cardiovascular collapse is challenging and is often unsuccessful. We present a case and advocate the use of temporary circulatory support and pulmonary embolectomy in what would otherwise have been a fatal scenario.

scholarly journals Amniotic Fluid Embolism Treated with Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Robert Gitman ◽  
Bradlee Bachar ◽  
Byron Mendenhall
Keyword(s):  
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Amniotic Fluid Embolism ◽  
Cardiovascular Collapse ◽  
Obstetric Emergency ◽  
Membrane Oxygenation ◽  
Optimal Duration ◽  
Invaluable Tool ◽  
The Face ◽  
Severe Coagulopathy

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is an extremely rare yet fatal obstetric emergency. AFE presents as sudden cardiovascular collapse after a breach of maternal-fetal membranes and is often complicated by severe coagulopathy. We present a case where an AFE was treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to help overcome the acute cardiopulmonary insult. The use of echocardiography proved to be an invaluable tool to help guide treatment and optimal duration of ECMO in the face of severe coagulopathy.

scholarly journals Current Concepts of Immunology and Diagnosis in Amniotic Fluid Embolism

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Benson
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Amniotic Fluid Embolism ◽  
Cardiovascular Collapse ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Current Thinking ◽  
Maternal Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Maternal Immune Response

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity in developed countries. Current thinking about pathophysiology has shifted away from embolism toward a maternal immune response to the fetus. Two immunologic mechanisms have been studied to date. Anaphylaxis appears to be doubtful while the available evidence supports a role for complement activation. With the mechanism remaining to be elucidated, AFE remains a clinical diagnosis. It is diagnosed based on one or more of four key signs/symptoms: cardiovascular collapse, respiratory distress, coagulopathy, and/or coma/seizures. The only laboratory test that reliably supports the diagnosis is the finding of fetal material in the maternal pulmonary circulation at autopsy. Perhaps the most compelling mystery surrounding AFE is not why one in 20,000 parturients are afflicted, but rather how the vast majority of women can tolerate the foreign antigenic presence of their fetus both within their uterus and circulation?

scholarly journals A Case of Amniotic Fluid Embolism Postdelivery: Catastrophe averted Successfully

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-201
Author(s):  
Gonnabaktula Naga Vasanthalakshmi ◽  
Jaya Vijayaraghavan ◽  
Lalitha Devadason
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Mental Status ◽  
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Altered Mental Status ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Amniotic Fluid Embolism ◽  
Cardiovascular Collapse ◽  
Laboratory Marker

ABSTRACT Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare and often fatal obstetric condition, characterized by sudden cardiovascular collapse, altered mental status, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The disease is rare, with an incidence ranging from one in 600 to one in 80,000, perhaps because there is no established laboratory marker diagnostic suitable for both survivors and fatalities alike. We present a case of AFE in a low-risk primigravida which was successfully managed by a multidisciplinary team. How to cite this article Mehta P, Devadason L, Vijayaraghavan J. A Case of Amniotic Fluid Embolism Postdelivery: Catastrophe averted Successfully. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2014; 6(3):199-201.

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