Objective: A recent report has highlighted that amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is the first among maternal mortality in Japan. The clinical presentation is not the same with respect to symptoms, timing and subsequent course. Methods: This article reviews the English language literature for pathophysiology on AFE based on the clinical and ani-

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is the second leading cause of maternal mortality in the USA with an incidence of 1 : 15,200 births. The case fatality rate and perinatal mortality associated with AFE are 13-30% and 9-44%, respectively. This rare but devastating complication can be difficult to diagnose as many of the early signs and symptoms are nonspecific. Compounding this diagnostic challenge ...

There have been no reports regarding imaging-documented bronchospasm in patients with amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). In a woman with scheduled cesarean section for placenta previa, transient bronchospasm and pulmonary hypertension were documented explaining a sudden drop in SpO2. Mild AFE was the most likely diagnosis in this patient.

This chapter summarizes the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, evaluation and management of six commonly encountered complications unique to pregnancy that require critical care management: obstetric haemorrhage; pre-eclampsia/HELLP (haemolysis-elevated liver enzymes-low platelets) syndrome; acute fatty liver of pregnancy; peripartum cardiomyopathy; amniotic fluid embolism; and trauma.