Transfusion in the Obstetric Population - What's Different About Massive Transfusion?

Amniotic fluid embolism is one of the most feared OB complications. There's a very high mortality rate, and there's really no specific treatment other than supportive care. In greater than 80% of cases, it's followed by a severe DIC and hemorrhage,. often within seconds to minutes of the event. If you think about a pregnant patient during delivery or immediately thereafter having a cardiac arrest, I think AFE and PE are pretty high on the differential.