Summary of clinically diagnosed amniotic fluid embolism cases in Korea and disagreement with 4 criteria proposed for research purpose

Objective This study aimed 1) to investigate the clinical characteristics of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) cases clinically diagnosed by maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialists in Korea, 2) check disagreement with 4 recently proposed criteria Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) research purpose, and 3) compare outcomes between satisfying all at least 1 missing criterion. Methods included 12 patients AFE from 7 referral hospitals Korea. We collected information, including age, symptoms AFE, amount transfusion, mortality. Results The median age was 33 years (range, 28-40 years). Regarding symptoms, cardiovascular arrest, hypotension, respiratory compromise, coagulopathy, neurologic signs were observed 41.7%, 83.3%, 100%, 66.7% cases, respectively. Among 5 women died 2 suffered severe disability, showing an intact survival rate 41.7%. Disagreement SMFM found due lack disseminated intravascular coagulation or strict onset time (<30 minutes after delivery). There no difference mortality transfusion criterion. Conclusion Two-thirds confirmed did not satisfy SMFM, despite similar rates criteria. Our suggests that there may be some discrepancy diagnosis recent diagnostic purpose.