It was first reported by Meyer in 1926, and the syndrome was first described by Steiner and Lushbaugh in 1941. The maternal prognosis after amniotic fluid embolism is very poor though infant survival rate is around 70%.Īmniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is one of the most catastrophic complications of pregnancy in which it is postulated that amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enters the maternal pulmonary circulation, causing cardiovascular collapse. Treatment is mainly supportive, but exchange transfusion, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and uterine artery embolization have been tried from time to time. Besides basic investigations lung scan, serum tryptase levels, serum levels of C3 and C4 complements, zinc coproporphyrin, serum sialyl Tn etc are helpful in establishing the diagnosis. Clinical signs and symptoms are acute dyspnea, cough, hypotension, cyanosis, fetal bradycardia, encephalopathy, acute pulmonary hypertension, coagulopathy etc. The presenting signs and symptoms of AFE involve many organ systems. Possible historical cause is that any breach of the barrier between maternal blood and amniotic fluid forces the entry of amniotic fluid into the systemic circulation and results in a physical obstruction of the pulmonary circulation. The pathophysiology of AFE is not completely understood. It can also occur during abortion, after abdominal trauma, and during amnio-infusion.
It may also occur up to 48 hours post-delivery. Etiology largely remains unknown, but may occur in healthy women during labour, during cesarean section, after abnormal vaginal delivery, or during the second trimester of pregnancy.
Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is one of the catastrophic complications of pregnancy in which amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enters into the maternal pulmonary circulation, causing cardiovascular collapse.
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