How is amniotic fluid embolism diagnosed?
Diagnosis
- Blood tests, including those that evaluate clotting, heart enzymes, electrolytes and blood type, as well as a complete blood count (CBC)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to evaluate your heart’s rhythm.
- Pulse oximetry to check the amount of oxygen in your blood.
- Chest X-ray to look for fluid around your heart.
How does amniotic fluid cause embolism?
Amniotic fluid embolism occurs when amniotic fluid or fetal material enters the mother’s bloodstream. A likely cause is a breakdown in the placental barrier, such as from trauma.
What is AFE and DIC?
An amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare, lethal syndrome that is commonly associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Anticoagulation therapy is the most important strategy to inhibit excessive activation of the coagulation cascade in patients with AFE and DIC.
What is the nursing priority in amniotic fluid embolism?
Medical and Nursing Interventions for Amniotic Fluid Embolism. (1) Give immediate and vigorous treatment. (2) Give oxygen by face mask. (3) Maintain normal blood volume through administration of plasma and intravenous fluids.
How can you prevent AFE?
There is no known way to prevent the condition, but maternal risk factors include older age, having a pregnancy with more than one fetus, and having a cesarean delivery. AFE is considered an emergency, so people with any symptoms of the condition need immediate medical attention.
When do amniotic fluid embolism occur?
Etiology largely remains unknown, but may occur in healthy women during labour, during cesarean section, after abnormal vaginal delivery, or during the second trimester of pregnancy. It may also occur up to 48 hours post-delivery. It can also occur during abortion, after abdominal trauma, and during amnio-infusion.
What is the AFE?
Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), also known as anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy, is a pregnancy complication that causes life-threatening conditions, such as heart failure. It can affect you, your baby, or both of you.
How can I prevent AFE?
Can amniotic embolism be prevented?
How common is amniotic embolism?
Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare disorder. Rare disorders often go unrecognized or misdiagnosed, making it difficult to determine their true frequency in the general population. Estimates have ranged from 1 in 8,000 to 1 in 80,000 pregnancies.
What is the pathophysiology of amniotic fluid embolism?
The pathogenesis of AFE is yet to be conclusively determined. Traditionally AFE was thought to be due to obstruction of the maternal pulmonary vasculature by amniotic fluid, thus the term amniotic fluid embolism.
What is the initial treatment for amniotic fluid embolism?
Amniotic fluid embolism is an uncommon, but potentially lethal, complication of pregnancy. Because amniotic fluid embolism usually is seen with cardiac arrest, the initial immediate response should be to provide high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We describe key features of initial treatment of patients with amniotic fluid embolism.
What are the principles of early clinical management of amniotic embolism?
Amniotic fluid embolism: principles of early clinical management Amniotic fluid embolism is an uncommon, but potentially lethal, complication of pregnancy. Because amniotic fluid embolism usually is seen with cardiac arrest, the initial immediate response should be to provide high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
What is the prevalence of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE)?
In the United States, AFE occurs in 2 to 8 per 100,000 deliveries and is the cause of maternal mortality between 7.5% to 10%.[1] Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a life-threatening obstetric emergency characterized by sudden cardiorespiratory collapse and disseminated intravascular coagulation.