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Medical Responsibility in the Operating Room: The Example of an Amniotic Fluid Embolism
Author(s) -
Franchitto Nicolas,
Minville Vincent,
Dédouit Fabrice,
Telmon Norbert,
Rougé Daniel
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02098.x
Subject(s) - amniotic fluid embolism , medicine , autopsy , forensic pathology , presentation (obstetrics) , cause of death , amniotic fluid , maternal death , pulmonary embolism , pregnancy , sudden death , obstetrics , surgery , intensive care medicine , fetus , disease , population , genetics , environmental health , biology
Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) continues to be one of the most feared complications of pregnancy. A healthy 32‐year‐old woman died during delivery after a normal 39‐week third pregnancy. The family filed a complaint with a criminal court as the causes of death appeared unclear. No risk factor associated with AFE was identified. Clinical presentation was typical, including sudden onset of cardiovascular and respiratory symptoms. Autopsy confirmed the histological diagnosis of amniotic embolism and excluded an iatrogenic cause of death or anesthetic malpractice. This article highlights the value of both antemortem records and histological features in establishing the diagnosis of AFE and demonstrates the fundamental importance of autopsy in an unexpected death related directly or indirectly to a medical procedure.