Spontaneous dissection of the coronary and vertebral arteries post-partum: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Abstract

Background

Spontaneous coronary and vertebral artery dissections are rare events occurring most commonly in otherwise healthy women during pregnancy or the post-partum period.

Case presentation

This report describes a 35-year-old female who presented with an acute inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction 7 months post-partum secondary to spontaneous dissection of the left obtuse marginal coronary artery. Despite appropriate medical therapy with dual anti-platelet therapy, the patient presented four weeks later with a spontaneous dissection of the right vertebral artery.

Conclusion

We review the presentation, diagnosis, and management of spontaneous dissections of the vasculature in the peri-partum period.