Myocardial Infarction in Pregnancy

Abstract

Myocardial infarction occurring during pregnancy or the puerperium is a rare condition, occurring in about 1 per 10,000 deliveries, and carries a mortality of approximately 30%. As a consequence of its rarity, symptoms of impending infarction may be easily mistaken by physicians for much more common and innocuous conditions, especially those (such as gastroesophageal reflux) typically associated with pregnancy. Two cases of infarction in pregnant women are presented, with a discussion of risk factors which may predispose towards development of coronary artery disease or thrombosis in this population. Other, more uncommon, causes of myocardial infarction during pregnancy are also addressed.