2 Phases of Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE)

Once the fluid and fetal cells enter the maternal pulmonary circulation, usually AFE presents as 2 phases.

First phase: The patient experiences acute shortness of breath which may lead to hypotension and cardiac arrest. It is said that half of women does not survive beyond this phase.

Second phase: Survivors of first phase will pass onto the second phase. This is known as the hemorrhagic phase and may be accompanied by severe shivering, coughing, vomiting, and the sensation of a bad taste in the mouth. This is accompanied by excessive bleeding due to DIC.

Treatment is mostly supportive.