Clinical Study of Amniotic Fluid Embolism

Choi, Ok Kyung; Lee, Seung Han; Jung, Ku Young; Kim, Seung Cheol; Kang, Hyun Wook

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We analyzed the clinical features of amniotic fluid embolism confirmed by autopsy or clinical dicision for making a plan of rapid diagnosis and intensive emergency care. STUDY DESIGN: We experienced 2 clincal cases in Ewha Mokdong Hospital and Severance Hospital at 1995, and reviewed the medical record & autopsy report of 15 cases in National Institute of Scientific Investigation from Jan, 1991 to Dec, 1995.
RESULTS
The mean maternal age was 31+/-3 years. The mean gestational age was 40+/-1 weeks. The number of delivery were 1.4+/-0.8. The number of abortion history. were 2.6+/-2. The sexuality of fetus were six males (35 %), five females (29%), and unknown six cases (35 %) and the fetal mortality rate was 29 % (5 cases). The initial clinical symptoms and signs were hypotension (12 patients, 71%), vaginal bleeding(ll patients, 65%), cardiac arrest (6 patients, 35 %), dyspnea (5 patients, 29 %), and seizure (2 patients, 12%). In the case of normal spontaneous vaginal delivary (NSVD), the symptoms occurred during induction in 3 (18%), during delivery in 1 (6%), and after delivery in 9 (53%). In the case of Cesarean section, the symptoms occurred during section in 2 (12%), and after section in 1 (6%). There are one case whose symptoms occurred during 3rd gestational period.
CONCLUSIONS
We should alert for the amniotic fluid embolism in the clinical findings of acute collapse and vaginal bleeding, respiratory symptoms, and seizure at any peripartum. With eary suspicion of this disease and aggressive intensive care we can reduce amniotic fluid embolism mortality rate and it's legal problem.