Localized Aortic Root Dissection Detected by Echocardiography: Series of Two Cases

Background: Computed Tomography Angiograph (CTA) is the golden standard for diagnosing aortic dissection (AD). However, echocardiography has some advantages over CTA in screening aortic root dissection. Objective: In this report, we present 2 cases of aortic root dissection not found by CTA but by echocardiography. Method: Two middle-aged male patients were admitted to our hospital due to similar symptoms of chest distress. Diastolic murmurs can be heard in the aortic valve second auscultation area. CTA showed aortic artifacts and no dissection signs. The preoperative echocardiography showed that the aortic root was dissected together with aortic valve, and then aortic regurgitation (AR) was formed during diastole. AD was considered. Result: The patients underwent Bentall operation with extracorporeal circulation through femoral arteriovenous cannula. extracorporeal circulation through femoral arteriovenous cannula. The patients were diagnosed as DeBakey type II AD with severe AR during operation. Both of them recovered and were discharged smoothly after the operation. Conclusions: The diagnostic significance of CTA may be limited in some localized aortic root dissections. At this point, we can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis by echocardiography.