In more recent times, with the development of computerized databases
by insurance companies and governments, population-based studies
have been used to examine the mortality rate of AFE. In the last
15 years, at least five such studies looking at both incidence and mortality
rates (two American, one Canadian, British, and Australian
each) have been reported, comprising millions of deliveries.5,27–30 In
all five studies, the mortality rate of AFE has ranged from 13% to
35%. (Four out of five studies reported a mortality rate of 26% percent
or under. Only the Australian study reported the rate of 35%.)
Although these studies still reflect some bias toward reporting only
the sickest patients, they are a big improvement over case series.
Thus, AFE is not necessarily a death sentence and the majority of
patients will survive.