title: Electrical impedance tomography may optimize ventilation in a postpartum woman with respiratory failure.
abstract: Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare peripartum complication with the sudden onset of haemodynamic instability, respiratory failure and coagulopathy during labour or soon after delivery. A 31-year-old woman with amniotic fluid embolism was treated with vasopressors, inotropes, intravenous fluid, tranexamic acid and ventilatory support. Assessment of respiratory impairment was made using conventional chest X-ray, computed tomography and electrical impedance tomography. The potential for electrical impedance tomography to improve monitoring and guide respiratory therapy is explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. j.karsten@gmx.net
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karsten
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Bohlmann
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sedemund-Adib
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wnent
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Paarmann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iblher
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heinze
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004619:Embolism, Amniotic Fluid / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*