Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is recognized as a type of syndrome characterized by the abrupt onset of hypoxia, hypotension, seizures, or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), occurring during labor, delivery, or immediately postpartum, caused by the inflow of amniotic components into the maternal circulation. AFE is a rare condition but one of the most serious obstetrical complication...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare occurrence; it has a sudden onset and high morbidity. The objective of this report was to present a case of amniotic fluid embolism in a primipara undergoing analgesia for vaginal delivery. CASE REPORT This is a 38-year old pregnant woman with amniotic sac ruptured, cervix with 5-cm dilation, complaining of severe pain; the patient was...

Introduction Fat embolism is a rare form of nonthrombotic embolization. Limited literature exists regarding the diagnosis of fat embolism during the perinatal period. We present the first case of maternal death that resulted from nontraumatic fat embolization following Cesarean delivery. Case Description A 29-year-old gravida 1 with a complex medical and surgical history underwent a primary Ces...

Introduction: Metritis is one of the causes of maternal morbidity and there are many risk factors for it. Because of the importance of possible association of meconium-stained amniotic fluid and maternal metritis the present study was done to determine whether meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is associated with puerperal infection. Methods: In this case-control study 150 women with MSAF a...

As the anaesthetist covering the delivery suite you are called to attend urgently because a patient has just collapsed. On arrival you find the response team performing CPR on a 35 year old parturient (G2P0) of 41 weeks and 6 days gestation who presented in spontaneous labour earlier in the day. She is not making any respiratory effort and no pulse is detectable. The defibrillation pads are jus...

Complement 3 is an important component of ascitic fluid total protein, which offers local defence against infection of the ascitic fluid. Hepatic synthesis of complement 3 as well as other proteins and their concentrations in ascitic fluid is significantly reduced in patients with advanced cirrhosis. The level of protein in ascitic fluid in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritoni...

BACKGROUND Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a major cause of direct maternal mortality in Australia and New Zealand. There has been no national population study of AFE in either country. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of amniotic fluid embolism in Australia and New Zealand and to describe risk factors, management, and perinatal outcomes. METHODS A population-based descrip...

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity in developed countries. Current thinking about pathophysiology has shifted away from embolism toward a maternal immune response to the fetus. Two immunologic mechanisms have been studied to date. Anaphylaxis appears to be doubtful while the available evidence supports a role for complement activation....