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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
Echocardiographically detected mass "in transit" in early amniotic fluid embolism
Abdo Saad1, Nada El-Husseini, Gilbert Abou Nader
1American University of Beirut - Medical Center, P.O. Box 11-0236 Beirut, Lebanon.
Background:
Amniotic fluid embolism is a catastrophic illness related to the passage of fetal material into the pulmonary circulation causing cardiovascular collapse.
Case:
A 29-year-old female sustained cardiopulmonary arrest during delivery presumably due to amniotic fluid embolism. A right atrial mass "in transit" was detected by echocardiography. It had an appearance and pattern of motion that was suggestive of a gelatinous consistency and is likely to have been an amniotic fluid embolus. There was also evidence of acute right ventricular overload.
Conclusion:
We recommend that echocardiography be considered early on such conditions to gain more insight into the pathogenesis of this complication.
