**1. Introduction**

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare pregnancy complication often resulting in significant maternal and fetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality. AFE is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in developed countries and is most often diagnosed at the time of delivery or in the immediate postpartum period. The term amniotic fluid embolism developed from a theory based on a small subset of patients who were deemed to have died as result of an embolic event associated with amniotic fluid. This theory has largely been discredited by a growing body of evidence that suggests AFE is most likely the result of an abnormal proinflammatory response in the host [1]. Given the rarity of this syndrome, the reported incidence varies greatly from 1.9 per 100,000 in the United Kingdom to as high as 6.1 per 100,000 in Australia [1, 2]. However, even with prompt diagnosis and timely treatment, maternal mortality rates remain high.
