Fetal bradycardia and disseminated coagulopathy: atypical presentation of amniotic fluid emboli.

We present a parturient who developed an atypical case of amniotic fluid emboli presented by sudden fetal bradycardia, followed by maternal disseminated coagulopathy. The typical feature of cardiopulmonary collapse was absent in this patient implying that in some cases of amniotic fluid emboli (AFE), fetal hypoxia or acidemia is unrelated to maternal cardiopulmonary status.