Thromboelastometry-Guided Therapy of Fulminant Coagulopathy during C-Section and Amniotic Fluid Embolism

Abstract

This article describes the emergency case of a mid-thirty-year-old pregnant woman who suffered the rare obstetric complication of an amniotic fluid embolism, resulting in fulminant Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC) and shock. DIC was diagnosed with Thromboelastometry (TEM) and therapy was consequently guided by TEM. Thromboelastometry is a viscoelastic hemostatic assay that enables assessment of different aspects of whole blood clot formation under shear stress. This technique is increasingly used in anesthesia and critical care to guide hemostatic therapy. This report underlines the importance of TEM-monitoring of hemostatic complications such as DIC.