Use of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in type A aortic dissections: advantages of 3D TEE illustrated in three cases.

Stanford type A aortic dissections often present to the hospital requiring emergent surgical intervention. Initial diagnosis is usually made by computed tomography; however transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can further characterize aortic dissections with specific advantages: It may be performed on an unstable patient, it can be used intra-operatively, and it has the ability to provide continuous real-time information. Three-dimensional (3D) TEE has become more accessible over recent years allowing it to serve as an additional tool in the operating room.

A case of severe SAM following a David procedure.

We report a case of hemodynamically significant systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve following a David procedure. Although systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve has been reported following mitral valve repair or replacement and aortic valve replacement, it has not been previously described following isolated ascending aortic surgery.