Non-fatal amniotic fluid embolism after cervical suture removal

J Haines1, R G Wilkes

  • 1Department of Anaesthesia, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK. jez@drhaines.freeserve.co.uk

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.

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