Perioperative transesophageal echocardiography for aortic dissection.
OBJECTIVE
Aortic dissection is an infrequent but serious condition that often requires immediate operative intervention. We explore recent developments in the classification of aortic dissection and perioperative transesophageal echocardiography that assist with quantifying the severity of disease and facilitate its management.


RESULTS
We describe the pivotal role of echocardiography in relation to key surgical considerations such as cannulation, aortic root surgery, perfusion in the aortic arch vessels, stenting in hybrid arch repair, and timing of preventative surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Developments in the classification of aortic dissection have improved our perspective and understanding of the key presenting features that affect mortality. Improvements in patient outcome may be achieved in part by appropriately timed echocardiography-guided surgery.
Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, B3, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, CF 14 4XW, UK, ngukhoon@yahoo.co.uk.
Christine N H
CN
Tan
Alan G
AG
Fraser
D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015607:Stents