Embolia de líquido amniótico asociada a paro cardiorrespiratorio recuperado y síndrome de Sheehan / Amniotic fluid embolism associated with recovered cardiac arrest and postpartum Sheehan's syndrome

Resumen La embolia de líquido amniótico es una condición catastrófica propia del embarazo que ocurre típicamente durante el parto o justo posterior a este, cuyo sustrato fisiopatológico no ha sido aclarado por completo. Se ha estimado, según cifras de los Estados Unidos, que su incidencia rondaría 1 por cada 12.953 partos, y en el Reino Unido 1 por cada 50.000 partos; sin embargo, estas cifras pueden ser imprecisas debido a que no existen una referencia ni un consenso respecto a los criterios diagnósticos, además de que el cuadro clínico se puede confundir con otras emergencias obstétricas. Se presenta el caso de una paciente sin antecedentes mórbidos que presenta un cuadro de embolia de líquido amniótico no fatal, caracterizado por un estado fetal no tranquilizador durante la inducción del trabajo de parto, seguido de un paro cardiorrespiratorio durante la cesárea de urgencia y la rápida y catastrófica aparición de signos clínicos de una coagulopatía de consumo grave. Se describen además las complicaciones posoperatorias y su manejo, entre ellas un síndrome de Sheehan y la aparición de convulsiones tónico-clónicas generalizadas con alteración de neuroimágenes.

Abstract Amniotic fluid embolism is a catastrophic pregnancy condition that typically occurs during or inmediately after delivery, and whose pathophysiological background has not been fully clarified. According to US records the incidence of amniotic fluid embolism could been around 1 for every 12,953 births and in the United Kingdom 1 for every 50,000 births, however these numbers may be imprecise because there is no gold standard as well as no consensus regarding the diagnostic criteria, in addition that the clinical presentation can be misdiagnosis with other obstetric emergencies. We present the clinical case of a patient without a morbid history who presents with a non-fatal amniotic fluid embolism, characterized by an non-reassuring fetal status during labor induction, followed by cardiorespiratory arrest during emergency cesarean section and the rapid and catastrophic appearance of clinical signs of a severe consumptive coagulopathy. Postoperative complications and their management are also described, including Sheehans syndrome and the appearance of generalized tonic-clonic seizures with impaired neuroimaging.

Embolia de líquido amniótico / Amniotic fluid embolism

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) represents a challenge for the medical team. Due to its low incidence and high mortality, it is one of the most complex conditions to manage during pregnancy and delivery. Our objective is to present the case of a 36-year- old high-risk obstetric patient, who was taken to the ward for emergency cesarean section, during which she presented acute hemodynamic collapse during fetal extraction maneuvers. Based on the clinic, echocardiographic evaluation, and hemodynamic monitoring, a diagnosis of amniotic embolism was made. In the critical care unit, the evolution was favorable with a good maternal outcome. Although the understanding of this pathology has improved in the last decade, it is still associated with a high rate of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. In patients with suspected AFE, the routine use of echocardiography within the ward should be encouraged whenever available, while in the ICU the use of advanced hemodynamic monitoring is essential. Management should be early, with immediate recognition and the presence of a multidisciplinary team being key factors that reduce mortality. In this work, we review the literature with emphasis on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, obstetric, anesthetic, and intensive care management of this pathology.

La embolia de líquido amniótico (AFE) representa un desafío para el equipo médico. Debido a su baja incidencia y alta mortalidad es una de las condiciones más complejas de manejar durante el embarazo y el parto. Nuestro objetivo es presentar el caso de una paciente de 36 años de alto riesgo obstétrico, que es llevada a pabellón para cesárea de urgencia, quien durante las maniobras de extracción fetal presenta colapso hemodinámico agudo. Según clínica, evaluación ecocardiográfica y monitoreo hemodinámico, se plantea el diagnóstico de embolia amniótica. En la Unidad de cuidados críticos la evolución fue favorable con buen resultado materno. Si bien la comprensión de esta patología ha mejorado en la última década, sigue estando asociada a una alta tasa de morbimortalidad materna y perinatal. En pacientes con sospecha de AFE, se debe alentar el uso rutinario de la ecocardiografía dentro del pabellón siempre que se encuentre disponible, mientras que en UCI el uso de monitoreo hemodinámico avanzado es imprescindible. El manejo debe ser precoz, siendo el reconocimiento inmediato y la presencia de un equipo multidisciplinario factores claves que disminuyen la mortalidad. En este trabajo se hace una revisión bibliográfica con énfasis en la fisiopatología, diagnóstico, manejo obstétrico, anestésico y de cuidados intensivos de esta patología.

Amniotic fluid embolism: lessons for rapid recognition and intervention

Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare, often fatal complication of labor and delivery. The classic presentation is the sudden onset of a triad of clinical manifestations: hypoxia, hypotension and coagulopathy. Understanding of the syndrome as an immunologically mediated, complicated and often catastrophic maternal response to fetal or placental antigens is coming into focus. New treatments such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and better use of old treatments such as transfusion offer hope, but the condition is often rapidly fatal, so saving the maternal and fetal lives depends on rapid recognition of the syndrome. This series of three cases illustrates the clinical features enabling the rapid recognition needed for successful treatment of amniotic fluid embolism syndrome.

Atypical presentation of amniotic fluid embolism in liver and colon

No abstract available.

Embolismo de líquido amniótico / Amniotic fluid embolism

Resumen El embolismo de líquido amniótico es una complicación seria y potencialmente mortal del embarazo, la cual es considerada imprevenible e impredecible. La mayoría de los casos ocurren durante la labor de parto, sin embargo hasta un tercio ocurren en el postparto inmediato. Su presentación es abrupta y se cree se debe a una respuesta anormal ante el paso de tejido fetal a la circulación materna, a través del sitio de inserción de la placenta. Ante la ausencia de criterios diagnósticos establecidos o pruebas de laboratorio específicas, los signos y síntomas clásicos como hipoxia, hipotensión y coagulopatía, en ausencia de otra explicación, conforman el diagnóstico clínico. Estos deben ser rápidamente identificados y tratados por parte de un equipo multidisciplinario, con el fin de reducir la morbilidad y mortalidad materna.

Abstract Amniotic fluid embolism is a serious and life-threatening complication of pregnancy, it is considered unpreventable and unpredictable, most cases occur during labor, however up to a third occur in immediate postpartum, its presentation is abrupt and is believed to be due to an abnormal response to the passage of fetal tissue to maternal circulation through the insertion site of the placenta. Due to the lack of established diagnostic criteria or specific laboratory tests, classic signs and symptoms such as hypoxia, hypotension and coagulopathy, in the absence of another explanation, make up the clinical diagnosis, these must be quickly identified and treated by a multidisciplinary team, in order to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.

Indications and characteristics of obstetric patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a 22-year review in a tertiary care center

OBJECTIVE: Reviewing indications and characteristics of obstetric patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care center, comparing those patients by time period and place of delivery, and to verify clinical utility of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score in ICU-admitted women. METHODS: Retrospective analyses were carried out for parturients admitted to the ICU of our institution from 1994 to 2015. Clinical characteristics were compared between time period (period 1: 1994–2004; period 2: 2005–2015) and place of delivery (our institution and local hospitals). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the usefulness of APACHE II score to predict maternal mortality. RESULTS: During 22-year period, 176 women required ICU admission, showing the incidence of 2.2 per 1,000 deliveries. The most common reason for ICU admission was postpartum hemorrhage (56.3%), followed by hypertensive disorders (19.3%), sepsis (3.4%), and pulmonary and amniotic fluid embolism (2.3%). Period 2 showed older maternal age (32.7±4.8 vs. 30.8±4.4 years, P=0.006, higher embolization rate (26.4% vs.1.2%, P < 0.001), and lower hysterectomy rate (30.8% vs. 49.4%, P=0.012). Cases from local hospitals showed significantly higher proportion of postpartum hemorrhage (84.5% vs. 42.2%, P < 0.001). Overall maternal death occurred in 5.1% (9/176) including 6 direct maternal deaths. The APACHE II score showed area under the ROC curve of 0.813 (confidence interval [CI], 0.607–1.000) for prediction of maternal mortality. CONCLUSION: The incidence of obstetric ICU admission was 2.2 per 1,000 deliveries and the most common reason was postpartum hemorrhage followed by hypertensive disorders. APACHE II score could be used to predict mortality in obstetric ICU admission.

Amniotic Fluid Embolism. Is a New Pregnancy Possible? Case Report / Embolia do líquido amniótico. Será uma nova gestação possível? Relato de caso

Abstract Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but potentially catastrophic clinical condition, characterized by a combination of signs and symptoms that reflect respiratory distress, cardiovascular collapse and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Its pathogenesis is still unclear. More recently, the traditional view of obstruction of pulmonary capillary vessels by amniotic fluid emboli as the main explanation for the etiology has been ruled out, and immunologic factors and the activation of the inflammatory cascade took on an important role. Amniotic fluid embolism has an unpredictable character, its diagnosis is exclusively clinical, and the treatment consists mainly of cardiovascular support and administration of blood products to correct the DIC. No diagnostic test is recommended until now, though multiple blood markers are currently being studied. The authors present a case report of a woman who had survived AFE in her previous pregnancy and had a subsequent pregnancy without recurrence, providing one more clinical testimony of the low risks for the pregnancy after AFE.

Resumo A embolia do liquido amniótico (ELA) é uma situação clínica rara, mas potencialmente catastrófica, que se caracteriza por uma combinação de sinais e sintomas clínicos que refletem insuficiência respiratória aguda, colapso cardiovascular e coagulação intravascular disseminada (CID). A sua patogênese ainda não é totalmente compreendida. Mais recentemente, a visão tradicional de obstrução dos capilares pulmonares por êmbolo de líquido amniótico, como explicação principal para a etiologia desta síndrome, tem sido desconsiderada, assumindo os fatores imunológicos e a ativação das cascatas de resposta inflamatória um papel importante. A embolia do líquido amniótico tem um carácter imprevisível, e o seu diagnóstico é exclusivamente clínico, sendo o tratamento sobretudo de suporte respiratório e cardiovascular, com a concomitante administração de derivados do sangue para corrigir a CID. Nenhum teste de diagnóstico é recomendado até o momento, embora vários marcadores do sangue periférico se encontrem em estudo. Os autores apresentam um caso clínico de uma mulher que sobreviveu a um quadro de embolia de líquido amniótico na sua gravidez prévia, e que teve uma gravidez subsequente sem recorrência do quadro, contribuindo com mais um testemunho clínico do baixo risco na gravidez pós-ELA.

Venous Air Embolism Not Amniotic Fluid Embolism / 대한중환자의학회지

No abstract available.

Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Fulminant Course of Amniotic Fluid Embolism Syndrome Immediately after Cesarean Delivery / 대한구급학회지

Amniotic fluid embolism is rare but is one of the most catastrophic complications in the peripartum period. This syndrome is caused by a maternal anaphylactic reaction to the introduction of fetal material into the pulmonary circulation. When amniotic fluid embolism is suspected, the immediate application of extracorporeal mechanical circulatory support such as veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or cardiopulmonary bypass should be considered. Without the application of extracorporeal mechanical circulatory support, medical supportive care might not be sufficient to maintain cardiopulmonary stabilization in severe cases of amniotic fluid embolism. In this report, we present the case of a 36-year-old pregnant woman who developed an amniotic fluid embolism immediately after a cesarean section. Her catastrophic event started with the sudden onset of severe hypoxia, followed by circulatory collapse within 8 minutes. The veno-arterial mode of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was initiated immediately. She was successfully resuscitated but with impaired cognitive function. Thus, urgent ECMO should be considered when amniotic fluid embolism syndrome is suspected in patients presenting acute cardiopulmonary collapse.

Urgent Application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Amniotic Fluid Embolism / 대한구급학회지

No abstract available.

Venous Air Embolism Not Amniotic Fluid Embolism / 대한구급학회지

No abstract available.

Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Fulminant Course of Amniotic Fluid Embolism Syndrome Immediately after Cesarean Delivery / 대한중환자의학회지

Amniotic fluid embolism is rare but is one of the most catastrophic complications in the peripartum period. This syndrome is caused by a maternal anaphylactic reaction to the introduction of fetal material into the pulmonary circulation. When amniotic fluid embolism is suspected, the immediate application of extracorporeal mechanical circulatory support such as veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or cardiopulmonary bypass should be considered. Without the application of extracorporeal mechanical circulatory support, medical supportive care might not be sufficient to maintain cardiopulmonary stabilization in severe cases of amniotic fluid embolism. In this report, we present the case of a 36-year-old pregnant woman who developed an amniotic fluid embolism immediately after a cesarean section. Her catastrophic event started with the sudden onset of severe hypoxia, followed by circulatory collapse within 8 minutes. The veno-arterial mode of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was initiated immediately. She was successfully resuscitated but with impaired cognitive function. Thus, urgent ECMO should be considered when amniotic fluid embolism syndrome is suspected in patients presenting acute cardiopulmonary collapse.

Urgent Application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Amniotic Fluid Embolism / 대한중환자의학회지

No abstract available.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Postoperative Day due to Pulmonary Embolism

Cardiac arrest one day after cesarean section is extremely rare. Obstetrical clinicians have low experience to these serious situations necessitating immediate first aid and knowledge of its differential diagnosis. A 33-year-old woman underwent elective repeat cesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation under spinal anesthesia. The patient underwent uneventful course on that day. Loss of consciousness occurred one day after cesarean section during her first ambulation. Immediate cardiac compression was performed and eventually resulted in good recovery of her heartbeat. Her condition was suitable disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). She developed acute ischemic pancreatitis after cardiac arrest. We describe the consideration of amniotic fluid embolism with DIC as most appropriate in this case. To our knowledge, our case is one of the most dangerous conditions after the cesarean section. Here, we report our case with a review of literatures.

Successful Application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for a Patient with Clinical Amniotic Fluid Embolism / 대한중환자의학회지

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication that occurs acutely during pregnancy or within 12 h of delivery. The management of AFE focuses initially on supportive measures for cardiopulmonary stabilization. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation should be considered in patients who are unresponsive to medical treatment in order to prevent additional hypoxia and subsequent organ failure. We present a 41-year-old woman with clinical AFE who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and was treated successfully with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Successful Application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for a Patient with Clinical Amniotic Fluid Embolism / 대한구급학회지

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication that occurs acutely during pregnancy or within 12 h of delivery. The management of AFE focuses initially on supportive measures for cardiopulmonary stabilization. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation should be considered in patients who are unresponsive to medical treatment in order to prevent additional hypoxia and subsequent organ failure. We present a 41-year-old woman with clinical AFE who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and was treated successfully with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Amniotic Fluid Embolism.

Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) is a potentially fatal rare obstetric complication. In this paper, the death of a 30-year old apparently healthy parturient due to AFE is reported. She underwent Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) under spinal anaesthesia but after about half an hour of the operative procedure, she developed features of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and shock, and died within five hours of the onset of the symptoms. The sudden death of an apparently healthy parturient may lead to medical negligence claims by the relatives. In developing countries, it still remains a post-mortem diagnosis and in the present case, histopathological examination findings helped in coming to a conclusive opinion of AFE.

A prospective randomized study on maternal and infant outcomes of intrapartum transcervical amnioinfusion versus standard obstetric care for parturients with meconium stained amniotic fluid: A preliminary report / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

BACKGROUND: Amnioinfusion, or transcervical infusion of saline into the amniotic cavity, has been proposed as a method for reducing the risk of meconium aspiration syndrome.OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the effect of intrapartal amnioinfusion with meconium stained amniotic fluid on cesarean section rate, incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome, neonatal ICU admission, perinatal death and adverse maternal outcomes.METHODS: This study is a randomized controlled trial from June to September 2013, conducted in the service wards of a university hospital. The study population consists of parturients 19-45 years old with singleton term low-risk pregnancies, in cephalic presentation, with cervical dilatation at 2-6 cm, with ruptured membranes showing meconium stained amniotic fluid.RESULTS: Meconium aspiration syndrome occurred in one infant in the amnioinfusion group and in three infants in the control group (9% vs. 25%). There was a lower rate of neonatal pneumonia and neonatal sepsis in the treatment arm (0% vs. 8% and 9% vs. 17%, respectively). There were no perinatal deaths in both groups. Neonatal lCU admission was seen less in;the treatment arm (9% vs. 25%). The cesarean section rate did not differ significantly in both groups (9% vs. 8%). Maternal morbidity was seen less in the treatment group. None of the patients in the amnioinfusion arm had fever while two patients in the control group had pyrexia (0% vs. 17%). Hospital stay was also shorter for patients in the treatment group with an average duration of 3 days, as opposed to 4 days in the control arm.CONCLUSION: Amnioinfusion is a relatively simple technique of reducing perinatal and maternal morbidity in patients with meconium stained amniotic fluid. Although this study did not show any significant difference between the two groups, there is a trend towards better neonatal outcomes and decreased maternal morbidity with amnioinfusion.

Diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism with blood samples by liquid-based cytology technique / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To establish the diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism with blood samples by liquid-based cytology technique and to study the validity of method.@*METHODS@#The blood samples were collected from patients who suffered from amniotic fluid embolism. The components of amniotic fluid in blood samples were examined with blood smear by two direct smear methods (supernatant smear, sediment smear) and two liquid-based cytology methods (automatic smear, manual smear). The positive detection rate of each method was calculated.@*RESULTS@#The positive detection rates of two liquid-based cytology methods (84.6% and 92.3%, respectively) were much higher than those of two direct methods (53.8% and 61.5%, respectively).@*CONCLUSION@#The liquid-based cytology technique could improve the positive detection rate of amniotic fluid embolism.