Current opinion in obstetrics & gynecology
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Curr. Opin. Obstet. Gynecol. · Dec 2015
ReviewAmniotic fluid embolism: despite progress, challenges remain.
This article reviews the incidence, pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and management of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). ⋯ Although AFE cannot be prevented, early diagnosis and intervention may lead to better outcomes for both the mother and the fetus. Clinical suspicion, traditional laboratory data, or intravascular cellular debris (demonstrated only in 50% of patients) are insufficient to make a definitive diagnosis of AFE. An evolving array of novel biomarkers may help differentiate AFE from other conditions, but none of them currently provide sufficient 'early warning' ability to make real-time impact on diagnosis and/or treatment of AFE.