Amniotic fluid embolism and disseminated intravascular coagulation after evacuation of missed abortion.

The combination of amniotic fluid embolism and disseminated intravascular coagulation in obstetrics usually occurs at term associated with tumultuous labor. Maternal death almost inevitably follows. That these two crises may occur associated with abortion in herewith reported for the first time. Prompt recognition and aggressive appropriate therapy were responsible for patient survival with virtually no residual sequelae. Diagnosis was established on the basis of serial chest x-rays, pulmonary function tests, sputum, and serial blood studies.