Obstetrics & GynaecologyAnaesthesia & ICU
Amniotic Fluid Embolism
Sudden cardiovascular collapse + DIC + fetal distress in labour / immediate postpartum — supportive ALS, blood products, deliver if possible.
Source: RCOG; UK AFE Register
Step 1 of ~3
info
Recognise — Diagnosis of Exclusion
Triad: cardiovascular collapse + respiratory failure + DIC, occurring during labour, delivery, or within 30 min postpartum. Often profound hypoxia, hypotension, seizures, cardiac arrest, then DIC. Differentials: PE, eclampsia, MI, sepsis, anaphylaxis, severe haemorrhage, drug reaction. Mortality 20–50%.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Emollient bath and shower products, antimicrobial-containing · Antimicrobial bath emollient (benzalkonium / chlorhexidine / triclosan)
- Emollient bath and shower products, paraffin-containing · Paraffin-based bath/shower emollient
- Emollient bath and shower products, soya-bean oil-containing · Soya-bean oil bath emollient
- Tenecteplase · Cardiovascular Emergency
- Tirofiban · Cardiovascular Emergency
- Potassium chloride with calcium chloride and sodium chloride · Crystalloid IV fluid
Pathways
- Spinal Anaesthesia Hypotension Management · AAGBI; ASA
- Pre-Eclampsia / Eclampsia in ED · NICE NG133; RCOG Green-top 10A
- Suspected Ectopic Pregnancy · NICE NG126; RCOG Green-top 21
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) · International PCOS Guideline 2023; NICE CKS
- Pre-eclampsia Management · NICE NG133 2019
- Ectopic Pregnancy · NICE CG154 / RCOG GTG 21
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.