Amniotic fluid embolism

Heterotopic pregnancy and amniotic embolism: a case report

BACKGROUND

Heterotopic pregnancy and amniotic embolism are rare conditions that can be challenging to diagnose. To date, there are no cases of heterotopic pregnancy associated with amniotic embolism described in the literature. Therefore, we report the case of a pancreatic heterotopic pregnancy, which led to amniotic embolism and an unfavorable maternal outcome.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 20-year-old pregnant woman presented with nausea and abdominal pain refractory to drug treatment. She had an increased lipase of 205 U/L (reference 8 to 78 U/L) and a total abdominal ultrasound with biliary sludge. The pregnant woman had no known risk factors for ectopic and heterotopic pregnancy. The initial diagnostic suspicions were hyperemesis gravidarum or acute pancreatitis. During hospitalization, she fluctuated between periods of clinical improvement and worsening of abdominal pain, but serial laboratory control had a favorable and benign evolution. On the 30th day of hospitalization, the patient developed spontaneous abortion, respiratory failure, and cardiorespiratory arrest. Necropsy showed heterotopic pregnancy in the pancreatic tail, amniotic embolism, and consequent disseminated intravascular coagulation.

CONCLUSION

Obstetricians should suspect heterotopic pregnancy in patients with an acute abdomen. The gold standard diagnostic method for this condition is laparoscopy. In the present case, the authors consider that pancreatic pregnancy allowed the introduction of fetal antigens and amniotic fluid into the maternal bloodstream, leading to amniotic embolism and consequent disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Amniotic fluid embolism: 20-year incidence and case-fatality trends in the United States

OBJECTIVE

To estimate incidence and case-fatality rates of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) and to examine their temporal trends.

STUDY DESIGN

Population-based retrospective cohort study using the 2000-2019 Health Care Cost and Utilization Project, Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS). Annual population rates were estimated using HCUP-NIS specific weighting. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression described trends within the cohort.

RESULTS

Over the study period, AFE incidence rate remained stable (mean 4.9 cases/100,000 deliveries) and the case-fatality rate declined (mean 17.7 %,95 % CI 16.40-10.09). Highest AFE incidence rates and fatality rates were in women ≥ 35 years, African-Americans, and in urban-teaching hospitals. AFE mortality rates decreased among Hispanics.

CONCLUSION

AFE rates remained stable and fatality rates declined over time. Highest rates of AFE occurrence and death were in women who typically have greater risk of experiencing adverse obstetrical outcomes. Continued research into early diagnostic methods and effective treatments are needed to further improve AFE incidence and mortality rates.

A description of the coagulopathy characteristics in amniotic fluid embolism: a case report

Amniotic fluid embolism is frequently associated with coagulopathy. However, the exact nature and evolution of the bleeding disorder is incompletely understood. We report a case of clinically diagnosed amniotic fluid embolism associated with major haemorrhage and coagulopathy. We measured sequential levels of all individual clotting factors, thrombin generation, fibrinogen, and D-dimer levels over the course of the event, beginning shortly after the patient's initial collapse and during the subsequent resuscitation, to identify the specific abnormalities of coagulation from stored blood samples. A better understanding of amniotic fluid embolism and the associated coagulopathy is an important area of research to inform targeted treatment of the coagulopathy and improve outcomes for patients.