Amniotic fluid embolism: what level of scientific evidence can be drawn? A systematic review

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare and severe obstetric emergency and a significant cause of maternal mortality in developed countries and its incidence varies according to different studies. Presently, advances in the understanding of this pathology continue to be slowed down for the absence of generally accepted diagnostic criteria, the clinical analogies of this entity to other types of acute dangerous maternal illnesses and the presence of a wide range of disease severity. The aim of this review has been to evaluate the incidence of AFE, the role of possible risk factors, the clinical presentation (signs and symptoms) and outcome. Secondly the authors reviewed the management of these very difficult patients, including treatments and interventions in order to extrapolate sharable recommendations for the management of these complicated patients. ©2013 Bentham Science Publishers.