Failure to produce the syndrome of amniotic fluid embolism by infusion of amniotic fluid and meconium into monkeys

With the purpose of studying the pathogenesis of the “amniotic fluid embolism” syndrome, human and monkey amniotic fluid and suspensions of meconium in human amniotic fluid were infused into nonpregnant, pregnant, and postpartum monkeys. As the results were essentially negative, it seems that the introduction of even huge quantities of this material into the maternal bloodstream is not the only factor that explains the syndrome. Intravenous injections of thromboplastin caused apnea, acceleration of heart rate, and virtual afibrinogenemia.