title: An autopsy case of acute aortic dissection during postpartum period.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aortic dissection in young women without Marfan disease is related in most instances to pregnancy. This is a potentially catastrophic occurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  An autopsy case of acute aortic dissection type B (Stanford classification), clinically undiagnosed during late puerperium period in a young woman with no discernible risk factors (e.g. family history and signs of connective tissue diseases) is presented. Autopsy with ancillary investigations revealed that knowledge of this albeit relatively rare complication of postpartum may assist the clinician in earlier diagnosis and referral of patients for surgical treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case is presented to raise awareness and review the literature for the critical care of postpartum patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Matsunami General Hospital, Kasamatsu, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ichigo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murase
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Imai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000150:complications*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000150:complications*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000150:complications*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed