Consumptive coagulopathy as a leading sign of amniotic fluid embolism – case report.

Abstract

Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare and diagnostically challenging obstetric disease of high mortality rate. We present a case of a 33-year old parturient after vaginal birth, who presented with severe hemorrhagic shock with low platelet count and coagulopathy resistant to treatment with plasma, platelets and coagulation factors and despite of surgical management of bleeding. Laboratory findings revealed consumptive coagulopathy. Other symptoms included dyspnea and atelectatic changes on chest x-ray, together with augmentation of the heart with no proof of ventricular insufficiency in echocardiographic examination. The suspected reason of these alterations was amniotic fluid embolism. The patient survived and came back to her usual activity after 22 days of treatment.