title: [Amniotic fluid embolism. Diagnostic criteria in two fatal cases].
abstract: Amniotic fluid embolism still remains an important cause of maternal mortality. We present information obtained by echocardiography and right cardiac catheterization of two patients who developed amniotic fluid embolism and died from shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation despite intensive medical treatment. Although the pathophysiology remains controversial, amniotic fluid embolism can be presumptively diagnosed and managed with hemodynamic values and echocardiography.
authors.affiliation: División Cuidados Intensivos, Clínica y Maternidad Suizo Argentina, Buenos Aires. criticalobstetric@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Malvino
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McLoughlin
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muryan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004619:Embolism, Amniotic Fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012771:Shock, Hemorrhagic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography