Acute Type A Aortic Dissection in a 37-Week Pregnant Patient: An Unusual Clinical Presentation

Sun Hwa Lee, Seokyong Ryu, Seoung Won Choi, Hye Jin Kim, Tae Kyug Kang, Sung Chan Oh, Suk Jin Cho, Jae Hoon Lee, Euy Suk Chung, Myoung Hwan Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Aortic dissection in pregnancy is relatively rare, but it is often fatal. The estimated incidence of aortic dissection in the general population is 2.9 per 100,000 person-years. Early recognition and treatment of aortic dissections are crucial for survival. Whereas the majority of patients who present with aortic dissection are older than 50 years of age and have a history of hypertension, younger patients with connective tissue disease, bicuspid aortic valves, or a family history of aortic dissection are also at increased risk for developing this condition. Case Report We report the successful diagnosis and surgical repair of an acute type A aortic dissection in a 35-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department (ED) at 37 weeks of gestation. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Emergency physicians should be alert to the possibility of aortic dissection in any pregnant woman who presents to the ED with unexplained chest, abdominal, or back pain, even those without risk factors for aortic dissection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)565-568
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine
Volume52
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • aortic dissection
  • pregnancy
  • risk factor
  • third trimester

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