Lethal aortic dissection in a 33-week parturient: a case report.

Aortic dissection is a rare and potentially lethal complication of pregnancy. After an extensive review of the currently available medical journal databases, a lack of information on aortic dissection in parturients was identified within the US anesthesia literature. A 33-week parturient with chronic hypertension was admitted to an urban medical center with severe epigastric and chest pain. During a 24-hour hospital course, the patient was found to have a Type I (DeBakey) aortic dissection, which proved to be fatal. Because the nurse anesthetist may often be the primary or sole anesthesia provider, it is imperative that he or she become familiar with the signs, symptoms, predisposing factors, and treatment of this potentially lethal complication of pregnancy. It is our desire to expand the body of nurse anesthesia knowledge through review of this tragic case.