Lethal vertebral artery dissection in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2006 Apr;130(4):533-5. doi: 10.5858/2006-130-533-LVADIP.

Abstract

Subarachnoid hemorrhage represents a rare event in pregnancy with a high mortality rate. We present the case of a 39-year-old pregnant woman who developed right vertebral artery dissection with subsequent massive subarachnoid hemorrhage with fatal outcome. The macroscopic and microscopic autopsy findings are described. A review of the literature with a discussion of the varied predisposing factors for vertebral artery dissection and subarachnoid hemorrhage and the rarity of these events in pregnancy is provided.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aortic Dissection / pathology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / pathology*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / pathology*
  • Vertebral Artery / pathology*