TRAUMATIC RUPTURE OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUE PRODUCING AORTIC ISTHMUS DISSECTION

Traumatic rupture of aortic isthmus atherosclerotic plaque resulting i n, dissection, has not been documented through the use of either invas ive or noninvasive diagnostic modalities. We describe an elderly patie nt in whom transesophageal echocardiography and three-dimensional reco nstruction, of multiplane transesophageal two-dimensional images clear ly demonstrated the traumatic dissection to be due to rupture of a lar ge atherosclerotic plaque located in the aortic isthmus. The patient h ad experienced blunt trauma to the chest from the impact of the steeri ng wheel during art automobile accident.