ARTERIAL DISSECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PREGNANCY

Two cases of spontaneous arterial dissection occurring in young, multi parous women shortly after delivery of uncomplicated pregnancies are d escribed. Histologic analysis of arterial tissue samples obtained in b oth cases at points near and remote from the dissection sites shows ev idence of significant arterial degeneration and loss of integrity, wit h changes similar to those observed in pregnant women, women using ora l contraceptives, and animals given female sex hormones. The types of arterial lesions associated with pregnancy and their sites of predilec tion and the etiologic roles of the hemodynamic stresses of pregnancy and hormones are discussed.