Amniotic fluid embolism after surgical trauma: Two case reports and review of the literature

SummaryAmniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a relatively rare condition usually occurring during or shortly after pregnancy and is catastrophic in most cases.The classical description is a sudden onset of dyspnoea, cyanosis and hypotension out of proportion to the blood loss, followed quickly by cardiorespiratory arrest. Up to 20% of patients will have seizures and up to 40% will have consumptive coagulopathy. If the patient survives the initial phase, a non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema will follow in up to 70% of all cases.We report on two cases of severe and near fatal amniotic fluid embolism during pregnancy. Surgical trauma, caused by a blow in the stomach and a surgical intervention, was considered to be the aetiology.