ABSTRACT
Amniotic fluid embolism continues to be a life-threatening. It is an unexpected and rare complication of pregnancy often presenting with sudden maternal cardiovascular collapse, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and maternal death. In the past, the diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism was made when a woman presented with one of those clinical hallmarks and at autopsy fetal squamous and amniotic fluid cells were found within the maternal pulmonary arteries. However, several studies have demonstrated that squamous cells, trophoblasts, and other debris of fetal origin may commonly be found in the central circulation of women with conditions other than amniotic fluid embolism. Thus, this finding is neither sensitive nor specific. We present a case that was diagnosed clinically as amniotic fluid embolism by characteristic signs and symptoms during the labor, resulting in maternal death.
