Successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation of a parturient with amniotic fluid embolism.

A case of presumed amniotic fluid embolism is presented. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings in a 21-year-old parturient, who was admitted to hospital at 39 weeks gestation. During labor the patient became dyspneic and cyanotic, had convulsions and finally suffered a cardiac arrest. During cardiopulmonary resuscitation she was placed in a left semilateral position and an emergency cesarean section was performed immediately. Following delivery of the baby the heart rhythm returned to normal. The prolonged resuscitation produced serious neurological sequelae in both mother and infant in the first few months following delivery, though with complete long-term recovery. This case report highlights the importance of displacing the uterus laterally and performing an emergency cesarean section during resuscitation.