Patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) should be treated the same
as the non-pregnant population, and they should undergo urgent coronary angiography ± primary
percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Angiography is particularly important in this population
given the increased incidence of spontaneous coronary dissection. If coronary stenting is required,
bare metal stents are preferred in order to minimise the requirement for long-term dual antiplatelet
therapy [14]. Access should be performed via the radial route whenever possible with appropriate
lead shielding and pelvic tilt. Aspirin and clopidogrel appear to be safe in pregnancy apart from an
increased risk of haemorrhage around the time of delivery. There are no data in pregnancy on the
safety of the commonly used peri-procedural anticoagulants such as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors
and bivalirudin, and their use is not recommended during pregnancy. Intravenous heparin should
be used instead. Following the treatment of STEMI with a bare metal stent, dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) should be continued for at least 6 weeks, followed by long-term single
antiplatelet treatment, which may be with aspirin to reduce the risk of haemorrhage at the time of
delivery. If a drug-eluting stent is used, dual antiplatelet therapy should be continued for a minimum
of 1 year to reduce the risk of acute stent thrombosis. However, there are data to suggest that
for the newer generation of drug-eluting stents, the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy may be
reduced to 3 months on an individualised basis [22]. If PPCI is not possible, then maternal health
should take precedence and thrombolysis may be appropriate, accepting the consequent bleeding
risks