[Amniotic fluid embolism--a case report with positive outcome].

While inducing delivery, shock occurred in a 23-year old primipara (41 weeks and 5 days of gestation). She showed symptoms of cyanosis, unconsciousness and asystoly. During cardiopulmonary resuscitation an emergency Caesarean section was performed. The resuscitation had to be continued for 1.5 hours and was followed by severe haemorrhage. Hysterectomy had to be performed, because the substitution of packed red blood cells, whole blood, fresh frozen plasma and other blood derivatives could not stop bleeding. Although the prognosis seemed to be very poor, mother and child survived without any physical damage or neurological deficit until now. Because of the clinical pattern we diagnosed an AFE syndrome (amniotic fluid embolism).