Surgical treatment of an amniotic fluid embolism with cardiopulmonary collapse.

Abstract

Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but devastating condition associated with a very high rate of morbidity and mortality. The treatment has traditionally been aggressive supportive care. We report a case of a term pregnant woman with complete cardiovascular collapse secondary to a paradoxical amniotic fluid embolism. The embolism was seen on transesophageal echocardiogram during an emergency Cesarean section as a free-floating interatrial clot through a patent foramen ovale. She was subsequently and successfully treated with immediate cardiopulmonary bypass, thromboembolectomy, and closure of the patent foramen ovale.

• Authors: Peter H U Lee, Mark S Shulman, Usha Vellayappan, James F Symes, Stephen A Olenchock Jr
• Journal: The Annals of thoracic surgery (Ann Thorac Surg) Vol. 90 Issue 5 Pg. 1694-6 (Nov 2010) ISSN: 1552-6259 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 20971295 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Retracted Publication)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adult
• Cardiopulmonary Bypass
• Echocardiography, Transesophageal
• Embolism, Amniotic Fluid (surgery)
• Female
• Foramen Ovale, Patent (surgery)
• Humans
• Pregnancy
• Shock (etiology)