Key result
Pregnancy and postpartum states are associated with vertebral artery dissection, as demonstrated by 2 cases highlighting the need for high clinical suspicion in patients with headache and neck pain.
Why the study?
Pregnancy and postpartum states confer an increased risk of cervical artery dissection, which can lead to long-term cardiovascular sequelae with high morbidity and mortality.
Case Report (n=2)
Providers should maintain a high suspicion of cervical artery dissection in pregnant and postpartum patients presenting with headache and neck pain.
Case reports support heightened suspicion for vertebral artery dissection in pregnant/postpartum patients with headache or neck pain; leaves open incidence and management questions.
Cervical artery dissection is an uncommon condition for which pregnancy and postpartum states confer increased risk. Although the majority of patients with this condition fully recover, including resolution of the dissection on imaging, long-term sequelae include a variety of cardiovascular conditions that may be associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Here, we review 2 cases of vertebral artery dissection in relation to pregnancy. Our first case will review the management of a pregnant patient with a history of vertebral artery dissection; whereas our second case reviews a presentation of postpartum vertebral artery dissection. Providers should maintain a high suspicion of cervical artery dissection in pregnant and postpartum patients presenting with headache and neck pain.
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Rosalik et al. (2023) conducted a case report in Vertebral artery dissection in relation to pregnancy (n=2). Pregnancy and postpartum states was evaluated. Pregnancy and postpartum states are associated with vertebral artery dissection, as demonstrated by 2 cases highlighting the need for high clinical suspicion in patients with headache and neck pain.
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