1/3. Non-fatal amniotic fluid embolism after cervical suture removal.We describe a case of pulmonary oedema occurring at 37 weeks gestation, following the attempted removal of a cervical suture under general anaesthesia. The use of an ultrasound technique to demonstrate the patient's fluid status is described. Signs of amniotic fluid embolism and how it exerts its influence on the circulation are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Delayed amniotic fluid embolism following caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.A case of amniotic fluid embolus is described with an acute onset occurring 90 min after surgical delivery in a mildly pre-eclamptic primigravida undergoing Caesarean section for a breech presentation. Severe disseminated intravascular coagulation and massive postpartum haemorrhage were corrected and she went on to make a full recovery. The pathophysiology of amniotic fluid embolism is discussed and new diagnostic tests are reviewed. It is suggested that in this patient an amniotic fluid collection in dilated uterine veins was mobilised as venous tone returned following the offset of spinal anaesthesia and sympathetic blockade.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. amniotic fluid embolus.A case report of a 27-yr-old healthy patient for Caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia is presented. The patient suffered an acute cardiorespiratory collapse when the infant's head was being delivered through the anterior abdominal wall. The patient remained cyanosed after proper tracheal intubation and pulmonary ventilation with 100% O2. hypotension was difficult to treat but returned to normal 25 min after the event. A pulmonary artery catheter inserted three hours after the event showed normal pressures and a high cardiac output. The patient suffered permanent neurological damage. The differential diagnosis is discussed and current concepts of the aetiology and management of amniotic fluid embolism reviewed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |