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AJP Rep 2015; 05(01): e1-e5
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394153
Case Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Nontraumatic Fat Embolism Found Following Maternal Death after Cesarean Delivery

Tabitha Schrufer-Poland
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansas City School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri
,
Paul Singh
2   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansas City School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri
,
Cristiano Jodicke
2   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansas City School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri
,
Sara Reynolds
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansas City School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri
,
Dev Maulik
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansas City School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Truman Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri
4   Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

25 June 2014

28 August 2014

Publication Date:
17 December 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction Fat embolism is a rare form of nonthrombotic embolization. Limited literature exists regarding the diagnosis of fat embolism during the perinatal period. We present the first case of maternal death that resulted from nontraumatic fat embolization following Cesarean delivery.

Case Description A 29-year-old gravida 1 with a complex medical and surgical history underwent a primary Cesarean delivery at term. On postoperative day 2 the patient was found to be unresponsive. Despite resuscitative efforts, the patient succumbed. Autopsy findings were remarkable for diffuse pulmonary fat emboli. Furthermore, there was no histological evidence of either amniotic fluid embolism or thromboembolism. The primary cause of death was attributed to nontraumatic fat embolization.

Discussion Multiple risk factors may have contributed to the development of nontraumatic fat embolization in our patient. Obstetricians should maintain a high level of suspicion for nontraumatic fat embolization in cases of maternal respiratory decompression and sudden maternal mortality.

Keywords

pregnancy - fat embolism - maternal death - cesarean section
 

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