This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Iliceto, S. Articles by Rizzon, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Iliceto, S. Articles by Rizzon, P. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Aortic Aneurysm

Circulation, Vol 66, 1045-1049, Copyright © 1982 by American Heart Association

ARTICLES

Two-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation of aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta

S Iliceto, G Antonelli, G Biasco and P Rizzon

To determine the ability of two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo) to detect aneurysms and dissections of the descending thoracic aorta (DTA), we studied 15 patients, five with proved DTA dissections (group A) and 10 with proved aneurysms without dissection (group B), using 2-D echo in three recording positions: precordial, suprasternal and a modified apical. The DTA was visualized in 14 of 15 patients (93%); in each patient in group A, an intimal flap was recognized (in two patients only by the apical approach and in one patient by all approaches). The DTA was visualized in nine of 10 patients in group B; in each patient, the internal dimension of the DTA was enlarged (25-43 mm/m2). In one group B patient, aortic dissection was erroneously suspected because spurious echoes were present in the lumen; in another patient, 2-D echo failed to demonstrate a thrombotic stratification in the enlarged lumen. We conclude that 2-D echo using all available approaches appears to be a reliable technique for evaluating dissections and aneurysms of the DTA.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Okamoto, T. Tsubokura, G. Kajiyama, K. Miyatake, N. Kinoshita, H. Sakakibara, and Y. Nimura Flow Velocity Measurement and Differentiation Between True and False Lumens in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Dissection by Use of Pulsed Doppler Echocardiography Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, May 1, 1990; 24(4): 265 - 270. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Hitter, R. Ranquin, L. Mortelmans, and G. Parizel Diagnosis of Aortic Dissection. Comparison of Investigatory Methods Case Report Angiology, November 1, 1987; 38(11): 859 - 863. [Abstract] [PDF]