title: [Extrinsic compression of the left atrium as an infrequent and fatal form of type B aortic dissection: value of ECG].
abstract: We present an infrequent case of extrinsic compression of the left atrium caused by a type B aortic dissection diagnosed by echocardiography. The transthoracic echocardiography showed the obliteration of the left atrium by a heterogeneous mass with two circular images of low echogenicity. The TEE study identified the mass as a huge hematoma surrounding the true and false lumen of the aneurysm. The case demonstrated the value of echocardiography in the diagnosis of type B aortic dissection.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital General Universitario, Murcia.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vicente
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pinar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valdés
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color