Transesophageal echocardiography in aortic dissection.

Aortic dissection is an emergent and potentially fatal condition requiring prompt and accurate diagnosis. In some patients, aortic dissection is abruptly painful at onset; in others, however, it has a chronic progression-with no apparent symptoms or with symptoms mimicking those of congestive heart failure. Transesophageal echocardiography, a promising new method for diagnosis of aortic dissection, has the advantages of being performed at the patient's bedside and providing results within 15 minutes. This method utilizes endoscopy and traditional noninvasive imaging techniques to provide a definitive picture of most segments of the aorta without the limitations associated with aortography and other invasive procedures. The technique of transesophageal echocardiography and its application in the diagnosis of aortic dissection are described in this report.