Abstract: | Hemodynamic instability in amniotic fluid embolism has previously been demonstrated only by right heart catheterization. We present detailed documentation obtained by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization of a 35-year-old woman who developed amniotic fluid embolism and died from severe left ventricular dysfunction and wide QRS complex tachycardia despite intensive medical therapy (inotropes) and mechanical (intraaortic balloon pump) support. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |