Chest Pain in Pregnancy: Part 2 Aortic Dissection
Rebecca Bavolek, MD and Mel Herbert, MD
PEARLS
- Aortic dissection in pregnancy is rare, and often accompanied by traditional risk factors such as hypertension, collagen vascular disease or bicuspid aortic valve.
- In pregnancy, Stanford Type A dissection is more common.
- The incidence increases throughout pregnancy; it is most common in the 3rd trimester and the postpartum period
- Clinical features of the presentation are no different than in non-pregnant patients.
- Diagnosis is by CT or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).
- Management consists of heart rate and blood pressure control. Surgical consultation may also be advised depending on type of dissection.
Related Links
EM:RAP 2020 December: The Big 3: Part 1 Coronary Dissection
EM:RAP 2016 March: PE in Pregnancy
EM:RAP 2010 December: Chest Pain in Pregnancy
