Acute Aortic Dissection in a Third Trimester Pregnancy without Risk Factors
General Material Designation
[Article]
First Statement of Responsibility
Kinney-Ham, Lisa; Nguyen, H. Bryant; Steele, Robert; Walters, Elizabeth L
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
Spontaneous aortic dissection in pregnancy is rare and life threatening for both the mother and the fetus. Most commonly, it is associated with connective tissue disorders, cardiac valve variants, or trauma. We present the case of a 23-year-old previously healthy woman, 36 weeks pregnant with a syncopal episode after dyspnea and vomiting. She subsequently developed cardiac arrest and underwent aggressive resuscitation, emergent thoracotomy, and cesarean delivery without recovery. On autopsy, she was found to have an aortic dissection of the ascending aorta. This case is presented to raise awareness and review the literature and the clinical approach to critical care for pregnant patients. [West J Emerg Med. 2011;12(4):571-574.]
SET
Date of Publication
2011
Title
Western Journal of Emergency Medicine: Integrating Emergency Care with Population Health
Volume Number
12/4
PERSONAL NAME - PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY
Entry Element
Kinney-Ham, Lisa; Nguyen, H. Bryant; Steele, Robert; Walters, Elizabeth L