Echocardiographically detected mass "in transit" in early amniotic fluid embolism.

BACKGROUND

Amniotic fluid embolism is a catastrophic illness related to the passage of fetal material into the pulmonary circulation causing cardiovascular collapse.

CASE: A 29-year-old female sustained cardiopulmonary arrest during delivery presumably due to amniotic fluid embolism. A right atrial mass "in transit" was detected by echocardiography. It had an appearance and pattern of motion that was suggestive of a gelatinous consistency and is likely to have been an amniotic fluid embolus. There was also evidence of acute right ventricular overload.

CONCLUSION

We recommend that echocardiography be considered early on such conditions to gain more insight into the pathogenesis of this complication.