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Transesophageal Echocardiography for Ascending Aortic Dissection: Is It Enough for Surgical Intervention?
Author(s) -
Chu Victor F.,
Chow ChiMing,
Stewart James,
Chiu Ray C.J.,
Mulder David S.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of cardiac surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.428
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1540-8191
pISSN - 0886-0440
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8191.1998.tb01065.x
Subject(s) - medicine , aortic dissection , medical diagnosis , radiology , dissection (medical) , surgical emergency , intervention (counseling) , surgery , aorta , psychiatry
Background: Acute ascending aortic dissection is a surgical emergency that requires expeditious diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention. In many centers, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the test of choice on which surgical decisions are based. Echocardiographic false‐positive diagnoses are rare but can occur with potentially severe consequences. Case report: Two clinical cases where ascending aortic dissections were falsely diagnosed by TEE are presented. Discussion: Recent literature comparing the diagnostic accuracy of TEE and other imaging techniques are reviewed. Anatomical limitations of TEE and potential causes of false‐positive results are discussed. Multiplane probe reduces, but does not eliminate, the occurrence of false‐positive findings. To improve diagnostic specificity without undue delays in the course of clinical decision making, we recommend dividing positive TEE findings into “definite” and “probable” categories. Such subclassification is helpful in identifying cases where additional confirmatory tests are desirable in situations of uncertain diagnosis. (J Card Surg 7998;4:260–265)