Echocardiographic criteria for aortic root dissection.

Echocardiographic findings from 10 patients without clinical indications of aortic root dissection or aortic valve disease from 1 patient with angiographic confirmation of aortic root dissection are reported and compared. Previously reported echocardiographic findings were confirmed in the patient with aortic root dissection. These include (1) a widened posterior or anterior aortic wall, or both; (2) parallel motion of the separated margins of the aortic walls; and (3) aortic root dilatation (42 mm or more at end-systole). However, all three findings were also noted in 5 of the 10 patients without clinical indications of aortic root dissection or aortic valve disease, and at least two of the three findings were noted in the remaining 5 patients. Echocardiographic detection of aortic root dissection appears to be most reliable when clinical indications of the anomaly are present.