Massive amniotic fluid embolism. 1984

R Turner, and M Gusack

A patient at 42 weeks of pregnancy called the emergency department complaining of painful uterine contractions for six hours. She was advised to come to the hospital immediately. An episode of vomiting caused a 60-minute delay in her arrival. Dyspnea, fatigue, and leg cramps developed. In the emergency department she was anxious, alert, and cyanotic. Fetal distress was diagnosed. Within 15 minutes the patient had bradycardic cardiopulmonary arrest. Resuscitation attempts and agonal caesarean section failed. Autopsy revealed massive pulmonary amniotic fluid emboli. Amniotic fluid embolus must be considered in the differential diagnosis of pregnant patients with complaints of shortness of breath and signs of shock with bradycardia.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011250 Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic The co-occurrence of pregnancy and a blood disease (HEMATOLOGIC DISEASES) which involves BLOOD CELLS or COAGULATION FACTORS. The hematologic disease may precede or follow FERTILIZATION and it may or may not have a deleterious effect on the pregnant woman or FETUS. Complications, Hematologic Pregnancy,Hematologic Pregnancy Complications,Pregnancy Complications, Hematological,Pregnancy, Hematologic Complications,Complication, Hematologic Pregnancy,Complication, Hematological Pregnancy,Complications, Hematological Pregnancy,Hematologic Pregnancy Complication,Hematological Pregnancy Complication,Hematological Pregnancy Complications,Pregnancies, Hematologic Complications,Pregnancy Complication, Hematologic,Pregnancy Complication, Hematological
D001919 Bradycardia Cardiac arrhythmias that are characterized by excessively slow HEART RATE, usually below 50 beats per minute in human adults. They can be classified broadly into SINOATRIAL NODE dysfunction and ATRIOVENTRICULAR BLOCK. Bradyarrhythmia,Bradyarrhythmias,Bradycardias
D004417 Dyspnea Difficult or labored breathing. Orthopnea,Platypnea,Recumbent Dyspnea,Rest Dyspnea,Trepopnea,Breathlessness,Shortness of Breath,Breath Shortness,Dyspnea, Recumbent,Dyspnea, Rest,Dyspneas, Rest
D004619 Embolism, Amniotic Fluid Blocking of maternal circulation by AMNIOTIC FLUID that is forced into uterine VEINS by strong UTERINE CONTRACTION near the end of pregnancy. It is characterized by the sudden onset of severe respiratory distress and HYPOTENSION that can lead to maternal DEATH. Amniotic Fluid Embolism,Amniotic Fluid Embolisms,Embolisms, Amniotic Fluid
D005260 Female Females
D005313 Fetal Death Death of the developing young in utero. BIRTH of a dead FETUS is STILLBIRTH. Fetal Mummification,Fetal Demise,Death, Fetal,Deaths, Fetal,Demise, Fetal,Fetal Deaths,Mummification, Fetal
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012769 Shock A pathological condition manifested by failure to perfuse or oxygenate vital organs. Circulatory Collapse,Circulatory Failure,Hypovolemic Shock,Collapse, Circulatory,Failure, Circulatory,Shock, Hypovolemic

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