title: The use of therapeutic hypothermia in the management of amniotic fluid embolism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare peripartum obstetric emergency where patients seldom survive neurologically intact. The exact pathophysiology is not completely understood and treatment remains mainly supportive.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 34-year-old African American woman gravida 1, para 0-0-0-0 at 38 weeks and four days induced for chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia experienced an AFE during labour. Supportive treatment included early use of therapeutic hypothermia resulting in a normal neurological outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case demonstrates the timely use of therapeutic hypothermia in a patient surviving an AFE and suffering no neurological sequelae. Therapeutic hypothermia should be considered in the supportive treatment of AFE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barriuso
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Pombar
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Heather A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Bankowski
keywords: high-risk pregnancy; hypertension; intensive care medicine; maternal mortality; maternal–fetal medicine