Publications of Faculty of Medicine:ROLEOF TRANESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHYIN THE DIAGNOSISANDMANAGEMENTOF PATIENTSWITH AORTICDISSECTION: Abstract

Aortic dissection typicallypresents as acute catastrophic events. It is recognised as the most frequent acute disease of thracic aorta. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment it is rapidly fatal. If left untreated it kills 25% of patients within 24 hours of clinical presentation and about 50%within the firstweek. Patientsmay have sudden tearing chest pain and loss ofpulses, andmay rapidly go into shock(l).