Successful repair of acute type A aortic dissection during pregnancy at 16(th) gestational week with maternal and fetal survival: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection during pregnancy is a rare but life-threatening event for mothers and fetuses. It often occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy and the postpartum period. Most patients have connective tissue diseases such as Marfan syndrome. Thus, the successful repair of a sporadic aortic dissection with maternal and fetal survival in the early second trimester is extremely rare. CASE SUMMARY: A 28-year-old woman without Marfan syndrome presented with chest pain at the 16(th) gestational week. Aortic computed tomographic angiography confirmed an acute type A aortic dissection (TAAD) with aortic arch and descending aorta involvement. Preoperative fetal ultrasound confirmed that the fetus was stable in the uterus. The patient underwent total arch replacement with a frozen elephant trunk using moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest with the fetus in situ. The patient recovered uneventfully and continued to be pregnant after discharge. At the 38(th) gestational week, she delivered a healthy female infant by cesarean section. After 2.5 years of follow-up, the patient is uneventful and the child’s development is normal. CONCLUSION: A fetus in the second trimester may have a high possibility of survival and healthy growth after aortic arch surgery.