Acute Aortic Disease.. - Index of

Putting It All Together: Symptoms, Signs, and Images 77
Figure 4 (A–D) Choice of imaging modality in diagnosing acute aortic syndrome.
Abbreviations: AG, aortography; CT, computed tomography; ECHO, echocardiogram;
MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.
Alternatively, TEE offers excellent views of the aorta from the root to the
distal descending aorta. Additionally, color flow Doppler, can assess the pattern of
blood flow within and between true and false lumens (Fig. 9). The sensitivity and
specificity of TEE for diagnosing acute aortic dissection approach 99% and 89%,
respectively. The intimal tear may be found in up to 60% of patients, and TEE can
be used to identify false lumen patency, focal aortic wall thickening, and variants
of dissection such as intramural hematoma or penetrating aortic ulcer. The primary
advantages of TEE include its safe use at the bedside in the hemodynamically