ABSTRACT
Both pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis occur more frequently in pregnancy. Obesity, hypertensive disorders, postpartum hemorrhage, and inherited thrombophilia are all risk factors for PE in pregnancy. Classic clinical signs and symptoms of PE include but are not limited to hypoxemia, tachypnea, changes in cardiac imaging studies, mild elevations of troponin levels, and tachyarrhythmia. Cardiac arrhythmias are present in approximately 10% of patients diagnosed with a PE, usually a tachyarrhythmia. Personal or family history of thromboembolism should be reviewed for each and every pregnant patient to identify those at high risk of complications. Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare and usually lethal condition characterized by cardiovascular collapse, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and refractory hypoxemia resulting from acute respiratory distress syndrome. Patients experiencing AFE also have rapid and refractory hypoxemia. Hemorrhage and disseminated intravascular coagulation are present in the majority of cases of AFE, and usually in conjunction with severe hemorrhage.
