In January of 2016, the AFE Foundation was honored to be invited to convene with leading experts in AFE, critical care obstetricians, and a multi-disciplinary team in an effort to set very specific parameters to be used for future AFE research and publications.
These criteria rely on the presence of the triad of hemodynamic and respiratory compromise, accompanied by strictly defined disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. It is anticipated that by limiting research involving amniotic fluid embolism to patient cases that meet these criteria, the validity of published data will be enhanced. In addition, establishing these criteria will assist in the identification of risk factors, effective treatments, and possibly useful biomarkers in the hopes of better understanding this condition.
This important meeting laid the framework for a peer reviewed paper, proposed-diagnostic-criteria-for-case-studies and was published this week in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG).
This meeting also led to the collaboration with the Perinatal Research Branch of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH) which will allow the AFE Foundation greater access to research funding and the facilitation of much needed clinical research.
We wish to thank the many women and families who have selflessly participated in our research efforts and encourage others to consider submitting their case. Together we will make a difference. To learn more about our research, frequently asked questions, or to submit a case please visit Research page.