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. 2010 Dec;59 Suppl(Suppl):S158-62.
doi: 10.4097/kjae.2010.59.S.S158. Epub 2010 Dec 31.

Amniotic fluid embolism that took place during an emergent Cesarean section -A case report-

Jung Hyang Lee  1 , Hyeon Jeong Yang, Ji-Hyoung Kim, Su-Yeon Lee, Hyun Jue Gill, Byeong-Kuk Kim, Min Gu Kim
Affiliations

Amniotic fluid embolism that took place during an emergent Cesarean section -A case report-

Jung Hyang Lee et al. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2010 Dec.

Abstract

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but fatal obstetric emergency, characterized by sudden cardiovascular collapse, dyspnea or respiratory arrest and altered mentality, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). It can lead to severe maternal morbidity and mortality, but the prediction of its occurrence and treatment are very difficult. We experienced a case of AFE during emergent Cesarean section in a 40(+6) weeks healthy pregnant woman, age 33. Sudden dyspnea, hypotension, signs of pulmonary edema and DIC were developed during Cesarean section, and cardiac arrest followed after these events. The course of these events was so rapid and catastrophic, which was consistent with AFE. Thus, we report this case precisely and review pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment of AFE by referring to up-to-date literatures.

Keywords: Amniotic fluid embolism, Cardiac arrest, Surgery; Cesarean section; Complications.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Chest X ray, anterior-posterior view after baby out during cesarean section.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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