[Amniotic fluid embolism]

A 38-year old quintipara with an unremarkable medical history suddenly complained of nausea during delivery, became pulseless and cyanotic, and lost consciousness. The ECG showed evidence of tachycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, and right-ventricular strain. Within 30 min there were also hemorrhage and a consumption coagulopathy (Table 1). Kerato-hyaline cell material was found in central-venous blood. Following cardiopulmonary resuscitation, emergency cesarean section, hemotherapy (Table 2), and intensive care (acute renal failure, ARDS, sepsis) the patient was able to be released with no permanent sequelae. The etiology, epidemiology, and clinical aspects of amniotic fluid embolism are discussed.