Case report of amniotic fluid embolism coagulopathy following abortion; use of viscoelastic point-of-care analysis

• Main Authors: Halley P. Crissman, Charisse Loder, Carlo Pancaro, Jason Bell
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-01-01
• Series: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Subjects: Abortion; Amniotic fluid embolism; Viscoelastic point-of-care analysis; Thromboelastography; Coagulopathy; Case report
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-019-2680-1

Abstract Background Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare, life threatening obstetric complication, often associated with severe coagulopathy. Induced abortions are extremely safe procedures however complications including AFE can occur. Case presentation A 29-year-old previously healthy woman, gravida 1 para 0, presented for a scheduled second trimester induced abortion via dilation and evacuation at 22-weeks gestation. The case was complicated by a suspected AFE with associated profound coagulopathy. Viscoelastic point-of-care coagulation analysis was used to successfully and swiftly guide management of her coagulopathy. Conclusion AFE can occur in the setting of induced abortion. This case report suggests viscoelastic point-of-care coagulation analyzers may aid in the management of pregnancy-related coagulopathy by providing faster coagulation assessment than laboratory testing, and facilitating timely, targeted management of coagulopathy.