ABSTRACT
Women with vascular diseases are at increased risk for complications during pregnancy and the early postpartum period. Unfortunately, the initial presentation for women with underlying vascular disease may be with a catastrophic complication, such as aortic or coronary dissection, and may present during pregnancy. Vascular complications that occur in young women of childbearing age are most commonly related to underlying conditions. Several vascular disorders cause increased risk of cardiovascular complications during pregnancy, and many have underlying genetic abnormalities. Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by various mutations in the gene that encode for extracellular matrix protein fibrillin I. Pregnancy in women with Turner syndrome can occur spontaneously in women with mosaic pattern, but otherwise occurs with assisted fertility treatment. Aortic dissection occurs when an interruption in the medial layer of the aorta allows intramural hemorrhage and propagation of blood, resulting in a sudden, severe, tearing type of pain with radiation to the back.
