Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection in a Twin Pregnancy With Marfan Syndrome: A Rare Obstetric Emergency-A Case Report

Oxana M Zarudskaya1, Alixandria F Pfeiffer1, Angela R Boyd1

  • 1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA, uthscsa.edu.

The physiologic changes of pregnancy make pregnant women with Marfan syndrome (MFS) more vulnerable to complications of aortic disease. Significant hemodynamic changes in the third trimester and postpartum may explain the increased susceptibility to aortic complications during this time frame. The rate of cardiovascular complications in MFS is 2%-6%. We presented a case of Type B aortic dissection in a pregnant patient with MFS in the third trimester and normal evaluation at the initial prenatal assessment. This case report highlights the importance of comprehensive evaluation during pregnancy and the consideration of whole aorta imaging in addition to the routine transthoracic echocardiographic assessment of the aortic root.

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