The use of therapeutic hypothermia in the management of amniotic fluid embolism.

Background: Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare peripartum obstetric emergency where patients seldom survive neurologically intact. The exact pathophysiology is not completely understood and treatment remains mainly supportive.

Case: A 34-year-old African American woman gravida 1, para 0-0-0-0 at 38 weeks and four days induced for chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia experienced an AFE during labour.