Cardiovascular manifestations of Marfan's syndrome: improved evaluation by transoesophageal echocardiography.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of transoesophageal echocardiography in patients with Marfan syndrome particularly those with suspected aortic pathology or where conventional transthoracic imaging was suboptimal.


METHODS
Eleven patients with Marfan syndrome. Seven patients were studied because of suspected aortic dissection and four because of inadequate transthoracic imaging.


METHODS
Transoesophageal echocardiography and colour Doppler flow mapping by a 5 MHz single plane transoesophageal probe.


RESULTS
Aortic dissection was identified in six patients with subsequent diagnostic confirmation in all six. No dissection was found in one patient in whom the diagnosis had been suspected clinically. Estimates of aortic root dimensions and assessment of aortic and mitral valve pathology were made in four other patients with inadequate transthoracic imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
Transoesophageal echocardiography provides rapid diagnostic information in patients with Marfan syndrome with suspected aortic dissection and enhances the assessment of cardiovascular manifestations of this condition.
Simpson
I A
IA
Regional Cardiothoracic Unit, St George's Hospital, London.
de Belder
M A
MA
Treasure
T
T
Camm
A J
AJ
Pumphrey
C W
CW
D000328:Adult; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D004947:Esophagus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008382:Marfan Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging