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- Title
Emergency Repair of Aortic Dissection in a 37-week Parturient: A Case Report.
- Authors
Ham, Sarah
- Abstract
Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition with a 50% mortality rate in the first 48 hours and a 3-month mortality rate of 90% in untreated patients. Aortic dissection is a rare complication of pregnancy, but there is significant morbidity and mortality for the mother and infant. A 43-year-old woman with a 37-week intrauterine pregnancy was admitted to the emergency department 6 hours after the onset of tightness in her throat and neck pain. She described the pain as similar to pain she experienced with a myocardial infarction 2 years previously. Other pertinent history included hypertension, gestational diabetes, coronary artery disease, and a family history of aortic dissection. The patient was initially misdiagnosed. Transthoracic echocardiogram and computed tomography scan revealed a type A thoracic aortic dissection extending into the abdominal aorta. An emergency aortic repair and cesarean section were successfully performed. Recognition of aortic dissection and an evidence-based, collaborative approach to optimize treatment and recovery are vital to the patient's survival. The purpose of this article is to highlight successful management of aortic dissection in a parturient and to broaden the body of literature on the topic.
- Subjects
PREGNANCY complications; AORTIC dissection; EMERGENCY medical diagnosis; COMMUNICATION in emergency medicine; DIAGNOSIS
- Publication
AANA Journal, 2010, Vol 78, Issue 1, p63
- ISSN
0094-6354
- Publication type
Case Study