title: Amniotic fluid embolism: A diagnostic dilemma.
abstract: Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare obstetric catastrophe with an incidence of 7.7 per 100 000 deliveries and mortality as high as 60% to 80%. We describe a case of perioperative cardiac arrest in a young parturient undergoing an emergent cesarean section. Just after delivery of live healthy male baby, patient developed disseminated intravascular coagulation not responding to resuscitation with fluids and blood products. Her autopsy revealed edematous lungs with amniotic fluid debris within pulmonary vessels thus establishing the diagnosis of AFE. Amniotic fluid embolism is life threatening and difficult to predict or prevent condition, which should be always be kept in mind in a parturient with sudden cardiovascular collapse, so that resuscitation commences immediately, as early intervention is essential for a positive outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, GianSagar Medical College and Hospital, Ram Nagar, Banur, Patiala, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulshrestha
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Megha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mathur
keywords: Amniotic fluid embolism; asystole; cesarean section; disseminated intravascular coagulation; fibrin-degradation products