AORTIC DISSECTION OCCURRING DURING CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY - ANGIOGRAPHIC AND TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS

A localized acute aortic dissection was produced in 2 patients, compli cating coronary angioplasty. In both cases a coronary dissection provi ded the entry door, with subsequent retrograde progression of the diss ection into the aortic root, After sealing the entry door, both patien ts could be managed conservatively using transesophageal echocardiogra phy to accurately define the location of the intimal flap and to rule out dissection progression. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.