Publication:

Amniotic fluid embolism: a comprehensive review

Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) is an obstetric catastrophe which occurs in 1 in 8000-80000 deliveries.1 It presents with shortness of breath, hypotension, hypoxemia, uterine atony, post-partum hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, convulsions, coma and death. Pathophysiology is not clearly understood. It may be due to anaphylactoid like reaction to fetal cells that enter maternal circulation. There are no proven risk factors though a few have been postulated. Treatment is mainly supportive. The corner stone of management is a multi-disciplinary approach with support given to the failing organ systems. The mortality and morbidity due to AFE is very high. Hence prompt diagnosis and effective supportive measures is the key in the management.