Amniotic fluid embolus

Pathophysiology

- release of amn fluid to maternal vessels during intense ut contractions or manipulation or at areas of placental separation.

- most common during labor

- leading cause of death during induced abortions

- can also be spontaneous or blunt trauma with abruption

- also post amniocentesis

Diagnosis

- 2 or 3 trimester

- ut contraction or manipulation

- sudden hypotension, hypoxia, or coagulopathy

- triggers immunological response

- death by vasospasm, release of vasoactive substances, mechanical plugging of mat pulm vasc tree

- get ARDS and L vent dysfnctn

- fetal hair, squamous epithelial cells and debris in mat circulation

Source

7/09 PANI