• Russell D Stanten, Leigh I G Iverson, Terrance M Daugharty, Stuart M Lovett, Crystal Terry, and Edward Blumenstock.
• Summit Medical Center, Oakland, California, USA.
• Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Sep 1;102(3):496-8.

BackgroundAmniotic fluid embolism is a rare yet often lethal peripartum complication resulting from rapid cardiovascular collapse. Progress toward a better understanding of this entity has failed to identify either the underlying hemodynamic pathophysiology or an effective evidence-based treatment.CaseA 45-year-old woman with a documented placenta previa experienced an amniotic fluid embolism during scheduled cesarean delivery. Transesophageal echocardiogram examination revealed catastrophic pulmonary vasoconstriction. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass, heparin, epinephrine, and high-dose steroids resulted in a successful outcome.ConclusionTimely placement of transesophageal echocardiogram revealed catastrophic pulmonary vasoconstriction as the cause of circulatory collapse in a patient with amniotic fluid embolism, supporting the use of cardiopulmonary bypass as an effective intervention.

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