Transthoracic echocardiography is a noninvasive alternative to TEE

Even though transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) proved useful for identifying aortic dissection(AD) as the cause of cardiac arrest in the recently reported series [1], the invasive nature of that procedure poses potential risks to a patient with AD [2-4]. The risks include airway obstruction by a TEE probe in an adult patient with AD of the ascending aorta [2], and rupture of aortic dissection during attempted TEE [3]. In the third patient, fatal cardiac tamponade occurred, which was believed to be attributable to rupture of circumferential aortic dissection during TEE [4].

Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine - February 12, 2020 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Oscar M.P. Jolobe Source Type: research