Aortic diseases in pregnancy: Clinical case

Introduction: Several hereditary disorders affect the thoracic aorta, predisposing patients with both aneurysm and aortic dissection. Pregnancy in patients with Marfan's syndrome carries an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, resulting in increased maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Case report: We present a 36-year-old woman with Marfan's syndrome at the 10th week of pregnancy, who at the age of 24 had mechanical aortic valve implantation due to bicuspid aortic valve and aortic regurgitation. On a routine cardiac control transthoracic echocardiography, we discovered an aneurysm of ascending aorta with dissection. Mechanical valve on aortic position was well-functional. There was also prolapse of the mitral valve with 3+ mitral regurgitation, increased dimensions of the left atrium and left ventricle with a preserved ejection fraction. Patient had positive family history for aortic disection. Conclusion: As aortic disease is reported as one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, it should be emphasized that pregnancy is a high risk period for all patients with aortic pathology.