Auscultatory bedside tests for thoracic aortic disease.

Auscultation for thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections is largely limited to listening to praecordium, neck and axillae associated with disease located at the ascending aorta and root, typically overlooking the descending thoracic aorta. We report a new test and protocol for differentiating aortic root and descending aortic disease by adding auscultation over the back as part of the cardiovascular examination.