title: Severe maternal respiratory distress due to the amniotic fluid embolism syndrome in a twin pregnancy.
abstract: A 28-year-old female with a twin pregnancy at 29 6/7 weeks who was having premature uterine contractions developed acute respiratory failure due to sudden pulmonary oedema requiring mechanical ventilation. No evidence for venous thromboembolism, pulmonary infection or myocardial infarction was found. Subsequently a mild coagulopathy and foetal distress developed. Ultrasonography revealed oligohydramnios of one of the foetuses. A Caesarean section was performed and postoperatively mother and babies had an uneventful clinical course. By exclusion of other causes, we diagnosed severe maternal acute respiratory distress due to the amniotic fluid embolism syndrome in a twin pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Adults, Free University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G M N
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: de Rooij
authors.forename: H P M M
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Gelissen
authors.forename: J P J W
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wester
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Spijkstra
authors.forename: A T J J
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Go
authors.forename: A R J
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Girbes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004619:Embolism, Amniotic Fluid / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014427:Twins; D014463:Ultrasonography