Role of two-dimensional echocardiography in early diagnosis of suspected acute dissection of ascending aorta.

Seven patients with acute dissection of ascending aorta are presented and the role of two-dimensional echocardiography in the early diagnosis of this condition is emphasized. There were 5 male and 2 female patients. The mean age of the patients was 36.7 +/- 11.2 years. The presenting symptoms were chest pain in 7, associated interscapular pain in 4, dyspnoea in 4 and syncopal episodes in 2 patients. Examination revealed hypertension in 3, pulses paradoxus in 2, asymetrically weak carotid and brachial pulses in 3, aortic regurgitation in 5 and neurological deficit in 2 patients. Echocardiography showed aortic root diameter of 42mm and the presence of an intimal flap in all the 7 patients and flap oscillations in 6 patients. Echocardiographic evidence of pericardial effusion was present in 6, cardiac tamponade in 3, aortic regurgitation in 5 and regional left ventricular wall motion abnormality in 1 patient. Surgical correction was done in 5 patients with 60% success rate. Two patients received only medical treatment. Aortic root dilatation of 60 mm, presence of an oscillating flap, evidence of cardiac tamponade and regional wall motion abnormality were found to be associated with poor prognosis.