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Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a potentially fatal maternal condition demanding awareness from obstetricians and anesthesiologists regarding its different manifestations. The typical presentation involves maternal respiratory distress, cardiovascular collapse, neurological changes, and coagulopathy followed by fetal distress. This unusual case study emphasizes that fetal compromise may precede maternal decompensation as the initial sign of AFE. Fetal distress is a known symptom of AFE and is typically seen due to cardiorespiratory issues that lead to reduced uteroplacental perfusion, resulting in fetal hypoxia. In the case presented, fetal bradycardia occurred before any visible maternal symptoms, suggesting that fetal distress could be induced by factors independent of the mother's cardiopulmonary status. A 34-year-old healthy G4P2012 at 41 weeks and 2 days gestation who was initially laboring on the floor was emergently taken to the operating room for a cesarean delivery due to fetal bradycardia. Around the time the fetus was delivered, the patient displayed seizure activity, followed by a complete loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest. The patient was intubated and underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation, subsequently converting to a wide complex tachycardia. In the operating room, there was evidence of heavy vaginal bleeding, uterine atony, and a fulminant form of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), which required aggressive management over the next four hours. After achieving hemodynamic stability, the patient was transferred to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), extubated on day 3, and discharged home on day 8., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Wang et al.)

Background: Stimulant-involved overdose deaths are increasing, driven by polysubstance use and adulteration of the illicit drug supply. While emerging evidence for prescription stimulant substitution is promising, there are no approved treatment options for stimulant use disorder that address the realities of an unpredictable drug supply. This study explores treatment experiences of people who use illicit stimulants (PWUS) to identify gaps and perceptions of prospective pharmaceutical stimulant substitution treatments (SST)., Methods: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 86 PWUS in Vancouver, Canada. Thematic analysis focused on experiences of available treatment options for stimulant use and perceptions of prospective SST., Results: Participants identified how primarily behavioral treatment approaches do not meet the unique needs of PWUS, in contrast with the range of medical treatments available for opioid use disorder. Participants anticipated health and social benefits if they were able to access SST, including avoiding the toxic illicit stimulant supply, reduced engagement in criminalized activities, and greater economic security. Perceptions of prospective SST were informed by knowledge of existing opioid treatments. This led some participants to be unsupportive of SST, citing concerns around agency and highly regulated operational contexts that do not align with the lived realities of stimulant use., Conclusion: Findings demonstrate the need for SST pilot programs in real-world settings and underscore the health and social advantages SST may offer; although drawing on existing opioid treatment models to implement SST pilots may limit success. Thus, any novel treatments for stimulant use must centre the lived realities of PWUS., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)