Amniotic fluid embolism – Implementation of international diagnosis criteria and subsequent pregnancy recurrence risk

Tal Cahan*, Hila De Castro, Anat Kalter, Michal J. Simchen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: An international diagnostic criterion for amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) diagnosis has recently been published. Data regarding subsequent pregnancies is scarce. We sought to implement recent diagnostic criteria and detail subsequent pregnancies in survivors. Methods: A case series of all suspected AFE cases at a tertiary medical center between 2003 and 2018 is presented. Cases meeting the diagnostic criteria for AFE were included. Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes described. Pregnancy outcomes in subsequent pregnancies in AFE survivors detailed. Results: Between 2003 and 2018 14 women were clinically suspected with AFE and 12 of them (85.71%) met the diagnostic criteria for AFE. Three cases occurred during midtrimester dilation and evacuation procedures, and the remaining occurred in the antepartum period. Of the antepartum cases, mode of delivery was cesarean delivery or vacuum extraction for expedited delivery due to presentation of AFE in 8/9 cases (88.88%). Clinical presentation included cardiovascular collapse, respiratory distress and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). Heart failure of varying severity was diagnosed in 75% (9/12) cases. Composite maternal morbidity was 5/12 (41.66%), without cases of maternal mortality. 11 subsequent pregnancies occurred in four AFE survivors. Pregnant women were followed by a high-risk pregnancy specialist and multidisciplinary team if pregnancy continued beyond the early second trimester. Six pregnancies resulted in a term delivery. No recurrences of AFE were documented. Conclusions: Use of a diagnostic criterion for diagnosis of AFE results in a more precise diagnosis of AFE. Nevertheless, the accuracy of clinical diagnosis is still high. Subsequent pregnancies were not associated with AFE recurrence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)546-552
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Perinatal Medicine
Volume49
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Amniotic fluid embolism
  • Complications obstetric
  • Diagnostic technique obstetrics and gynecology
  • Embolism
  • High risk pregnancy

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