Acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy: A clinical checkmate

Abstract

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in pregnancy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Management of these patients can be challenging as little is known about the optimal management strategy. Medications routinely used may have harmful effects on the pregnancy outcome. In addition, AMI could occur in the absence of atherosclerotic disease. We describe optimal management strategy by eliciting the management of a 45-year-old female with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. We recommend early use of coronary angiography to define the pathology in such cases. Radial artery assess should be preferred. Pregnant patients with AMI due to atherosclerotic disease should be given a 325 mg of aspirin and 600 mg of clopidogrel and either balloon angioplasty or bare metal stent should be used for revascularization. Percutaneous coronary intervention with heparin is preferred over bivalirudin and later should be reserved for patients with severe heparin allergy.

Keywords

• Acute myocardial infarction in pregnancy
• Coronary dissection in pregnancy
• Atherosclerotic heart disease in pregnancy