TITLE:
Survival of a Patient with Amniotic Fluid Embolism Based on Multidisciplinary Team Training: A Case Report of a Swiss University Hospital
AUTHORS:
F. Theintz, G. Haller, R. E. Pfister, B. Martinez de Tejada, I. Eperon
KEYWORDS:
Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Obstetrics, Simulation, Team Training
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.9 No.2,
February
19,
2019
ABSTRACT: Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare, unpredictable and unpreventable
event with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Its clinical
presentation is nonspecific ranging from moderate organ dysfunction to cardiovascular
collapse with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which can lead to
death. In a situation of severe systemic disease, maternal survival is largely
dependent on the combined efficacy of gynecological and anesthetic teams. We
report a case of AFE in a healthy woman admitted to the delivery room for labor
induction. Due to a loss of consciousness soon after epidural anesthesia
associated to fetal bradycardia, an emergency caesarean section was performed
which was complicated by uterine atony and DIC requiring hysterectomy. The
outcome was favorable due to fast and efficient multidisciplinary care,
emphasizing the benefit of having been trained for such situations through
simulation and team training programs for obstetrical emergency management.