Abstract

The prevalence of coronary artery disease in female patients is increasing due to changing lifestyle patterns including cigarette smoking, diabetes and stress. Since women are delaying childbearing until older age, acute coronary syndrome will more frequently occur during pregnancy. Although rare, acute coronary syndrome during pregnancy often has devastating consequences. It is associated with increased maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity compared with the nonpregnant situation. Furthermore, it constitutes an important problem for the patient and the treating physician, because the selection of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches is greatly influenced not only by maternal, but also by fetal safety.

Introduction

Coronary heart disease is a major health problem. Although rare in pregnant women, during pregnancy acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is estimated to occur three- to four-times more often compared with the nonpregnant women in this age group. ^{... Read more »}