Amniotic fluid embolism

Amniotic fluid embolism
Classification and external resources
Specialty obstetrics
ICD-10 O88.1
ICD-9-CM 673.1
DiseasesDB 574
eMedicine med/122
MeSH D004619
Presence of intravascular squames in amniotic fluid embolism
Pathophysiology of the amniotic fluid embolism[1]

An amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare childbirth (obstetric) emergency in which amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enters the mother's blood stream via the placental bed of the uterus and triggers an allergic-like reaction. This reaction then results in cardiorespiratory (heart and lung) collapse and massive hemorrhaging (coagulopathy). It was first formally characterized in 1941.[2] While it is rare (between 1 in 8,000 and 1 in 80,000 deliveries), the high mortality makes it the fifth most common cause of maternal mortality in the world, in some estimates.[3]

Presentation

The condition is rare (between 1 in 8,000 and 1 in 80,000 deliveries).[4]

When the fluid and fetal cells enter the maternal pulmonary circulation there is profound respiratory failure with deep cyanosis and cardiovascular shock followed by convulsions and profound coma, in a first and second phase.

First phase

In the first phase, the patient experiences acute shortness of breath and hypotension. This rapidly progresses to cardiac failure leading to a reduction of perfusion to the heart and lungs. This may be accompanied by other "premonitory symptoms" such as shivering, coughing, vomiting, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Not long after this stage the patient will lose consciousness due to circulatory collapse. While previously believed to have a maternal mortality rate of 60-80%, more recently it has been reported at 26.4%.[5]

Second phase

About 40 percent of the initial survivors will pass onto the hemorrhagic phase. The blood loses its ability to clot and there is excessive bleeding. Collapse of the cardiovascular system leads to fetal distress and death unless the child is delivered swiftly.

Causes

It is thought that this condition results from amniotic fluid entering the maternal circulation via the uterine veins, which then has either a direct effect on the lungs, or triggers an immune response in the mother.[6]

In order for amniotic fluid to enter the maternal circulation, there are three prerequisites:

Although exposure to fetal tissue is common and thus finding fetal tissue within the maternal circulation is not significant, in a small percentage of women this exposure leads to a complex chain of events resulting in collapse and death.

There is some evidence that AFE may be associated with abdominal trauma [4] or amniocentesis.[7] A 2006 study showed that the use of drugs to induce labor, such as misoprostol, nearly doubled the risk of AFE. A maternal age of 35 years or older, caesarean or instrumental vaginal delivery, polyhydramnios, cervical laceration or uterine rupture, placenta previa or abruption, eclampsia, and fetal distress were also associated with an increased risk.[8]

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for amniotic fluid embolism, and initial emergency management is the same as for any other cause of sudden maternal collapse - with cardiovascular and respiratory resuscitation and correction of the coagulopathy.[9] However, newer research with animal models suggest that significant embolism of any material is followed by platelet degranulation, pulmonary hypertension due to serotonin and thromboxane, and systemic hypotension due to vagal stimulation. Armed with this knowledge, several women have survived and regained a pulse immediately after ondansetron, metoclopramide, atropine, and ketorolac were administered.[10][11] One emergency intervention which has been applied is an immediate caesarean section.[12]

Recurrence

According to review published in 2009, a total of 9 cases of successful pregnancy following AFE, with no instances of recurrent AFE, have been reported in the literature. Therefore, although the available information is limited, the current evidence suggests that AFE is not a recurrent disease.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Alfredo Gei, Gary D. V. Hankins: Amniotic fluid embolus: An update. Contemp Ob/Gyn 45 (2000), pp. 53–66, online.
  2. ↑ Stafford I, Sheffield J (2007). "Amniotic fluid embolism". Obstet. Gynecol. Clin. North Am. 34 (3): 545–53, xii. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2007.08.002. PMID 17921014.
  3. ↑ Moore J, Baldisseri MR (2005). "Amniotic fluid embolism". Crit. Care Med. 33 (10 Suppl): S279–85. doi:10.1097/01.CCM.0000183158.71311.28. PMID 16215348.
  4. 1 2 Ellingsen CL, Eggebø TM, Lexow K (2007). "Amniotic fluid embolism after blunt abdominal trauma". Resuscitation. 75 (1): 180–3. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2007.02.010. PMID 17467876.
  5. ↑ Gilbert WM, Danielsen B (June 1999). "Amniotic fluid embolism: decreased mortality in a population-based study". Obstet Gynecol. 93 (6): 973–7. doi:10.1016/s0029-7844(99)00004-6. PMID 10362165.
  6. ↑ N J McDonnell; V Percival; M J Paech (Aug 2013). "Amniotic fluid embolism: a leading cause of maternal death yet still a medical conundrum". International journal of obstetric anesthesia. doi:10.1016/j.ijoa.2013.08.004.
  7. ↑ Dodgson J, Martin J, Boswell J, Goodall HB, Smith R (May 1987). "Probable amniotic fluid embolism precipitated by amniocentesis and treated by exchange transfusion". Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 294 (6583): 1322–3. doi:10.1136/bmj.294.6583.1322. PMC 1246486Freely accessible. PMID 3109636.
  8. ↑ Kramer, M.S.; Rouleau, Jocelyn; Baskett, Thomas F; Joseph, KS (2006). "Amniotic-fluid embolism and medical induction of labour: a retrospective, population-based cohort study". The Lancet. 368 (9545): 1444–1448. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69607-4. PMID 17055946.
  9. ↑ N.F. Collins; M. Bloor; N.J. McDonnell (2013). "Hyperfibrinolysis diagnosed by rotational thromboelastometry in a case of suspected amniotic fluid embolism". International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia. 22 (1): 71–76. doi:10.1016/j.ijoa.2012.09.008.
  10. ↑ http://soap.org/display_2013_abstract.php?id=S%2047
  11. ↑ http://www.marchofdimes.org/pdf/missouri/AFE_11-21-13.pdf
  12. ↑ Stehr SN, Liebich I, Kamin G, Koch T, Litz RJ (2007). "Closing the gap between decision and delivery--amniotic fluid embolism with severe cardiopulmonary and haemostatic complications with a good outcome". Resuscitation. 74 (2): 377–81. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2007.01.007. PMID 17379383.
  13. ↑ Conde-Agudelo, Agustín; Romero, Roberto (2009). "Amniotic fluid embolism: an evidence-based review". American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 201 (5): 445.e1–445.e13. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2009.04.052. ISSN 0002-9378.

External links

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