Feasibility of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in type A aortic dissection.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the fastest method for diagnosing aortic dissection type A and allows 3D TEE, even in hemodynamically instable patients. 3D TEE may provide additional information on aortic morphology, the involvement of coronary arteries by the dissection and aortic valve function. In this regard 2D and 3D TEE might become the diagnostic method of choice in hemodynamically instable patients.