Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Amniotic Fluid Embolism
Tayyab Mohyuddin1, Shahbaz Sarwar1, Dawar Ayyaz2
1Department of Cardiology, National Hospital and Medical Center, Lahore.
We report a case of 34-year patient who had uncomplicated elective caesarean-section. Postoperatively, she developed sudden hypotension, bradycardia, dyspnea and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), all signs associated with amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). Echocardiogram showed signs of acutely increased right ventricular after load including McConell's sign, i.e. right ventricular dilatation, segmental hypokinesia (mid-right ventricular) and hypercontractile right ventricular apex and overall right ventricular dysfunction. Similarly, 60/60 sign was positive on chocardiography (decreased right ventricular acceleration time of less than 60 milli-seconds and pulmonary artery systolic pressure of less than 60 mmHg). Performance of CT pulmonary angiogram failed to show any clear thromboembolic phenomenon; although, there were other indirect signs pointing towards the diagnosis. She was treated with aggressive supportive care without anticoagulation and she showed complete recovery, with follow-up echocardiogram becoming absolutely normal after 9 days with normalization of right ventricular size and function and improvement in 60/60 sign.
We report a case of 34-year patient who had uncomplicated elective caesarean-section. Postoperatively, she developed sudden hypotension, bradycardia, dyspnea and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), all signs associated with amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). Echocardiogram showed signs of acutely increased right ventricular after load including McConell's sign, i.e. right ventricular dilatation, segmental hypokinesia (mid-right ventricular) and hypercontractile right ventricular apex and overall right ventricular dysfunction. Similarly, 60/60 sign was positive on chocardiography (decreased right ventricular acceleration time of less than 60 milli-seconds and pulmonary artery systolic pressure of less than 60 mmHg). Performance of CT pulmonary angiogram failed to show any clear thromboembolic phenomenon; although, there were other indirect signs pointing towards the diagnosis. She was treated with aggressive supportive care without anticoagulation and she showed complete recovery, with follow-up echocardiogram becoming absolutely normal after 9 days with normalization of right ventricular size and function and improvement in 60/60 sign.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's...
Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management
Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Transcellular Transport of Solutes

