Fatal amniotic fluid embolism during induced abortion, 1972-1975

From 1972 to 1975, four women have died in the United States from documented amniotic fluid embolism during legal induced abortion. These women, whose pregnancies ranged from 14 to 35 menstrual weeks, had intra-amniotic saline instillation (three cases) and hystereotomy (one case). Performance of abortion in the first trimester and use of curettage technics could minimize the risks of this catastrophe.