Abstract
Type B Aortic Dissection (TBAD) occurs seldomly in pregnancy, but has
disastrous consequences for both mother and fetus. The focus of
immediate surgical repair of Type A Aortic Dissection due to higher
mortality of patients is less clear in its counterpart, TBAD, in which
management is controversial and debated. Risk factors for TBAD include:
aortic wall stress due to hypertension, previous cardiac surgery,
structural abnormalities (bicuspid aortic valve, aortic coarctation),
and connective tissue disorders. In pregnancy, pre-eclampsia is a cause
of increased aortic wall stress. Management of this condition is often
conservative, but this is dependent on a number of factors, including
gestation, cardiovascular stability of the patient, and symptomology. In
most cases, a Caesarean section prior to intervention is carried out,
unless certain indications are present. Due to a scarce number of cases
across decades, it is difficult to determine which management is
optimal. This article collates knowledge so far on this rare event
during pregnancy.