Successful emergency management for aortic arch rupture in pregnancy at first trimesters: A case report

The aortic dissection and rupture in pregnancy are uncommon clinical situation, but they are emergency condition with high mortality for both mother and fetus. Here, we report a successful emergency management for pregnancy at first trimesters with aortic arch rupture in Vietnam.

A young pregnant woman (20-year-old) at 12-week's gestation was transferred to our hospital due to chest pain (last 7 days on treatment) in severe medical condition: conscious responses to stimuli, oxygen 2 l/min directly through endotracheal tube, and hypertension (170/90 mmHg). The chest computed tomography scanner showed aortic arch aneurysm with the image of rupture. An urgent surgery for total aortic arch replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (185 min) including heart arrest period (cross clamp time 80 min), and general hypothermia (25 °C) performed. She was discharged after 20 days with a normal pregnancy development.

Aortic arch dissection occurring during 1st trimester was very rare. The mortality of aortic dissection without any treatments increased up to 70% at one week after presentation. The aortic arch replacement surgery was successful recuse her, and fortunately, the fetus was safe.

An emergency surgery for aortic arch replacement was safety for both mother and fetus at 12-week's gestation.