Spontaneous type B aortic dissection in antepartum gemellary pregnancy and endovascular repair.

BACKGROUND: It has been found that 50% of all aortic dissections can be attributable to pregnancy in women younger than 45 years of age. An estimated 30% of cases are type B, with half occurring in the antepartum period. To date type B aortic dissection has rarely been reported in gemellary pregnancies. CASE: A 24-year-old primigravida at 36 weeks of gemellary gestation presented symptoms of severe and persistent chest pain for 1 day, before suffering the acute type B aortic dissection. The primigravida was treated with immediate cesarean section and endovacular stent graft placement.
CONCLUSION: Aortic dissection is a rare complication of pregnancy, especially in gemellary pregnancies. Pregnancy is considered an independent risk factor for aortic dissection and endovascular repair may be an ideal option for the treatment of complicated type B aortic dissection during pregnancy, with reduced maternal and fetal mortality.