The formation of two layers detectable by intraoperative echocardiography is a reliable predictor of late thrombosis within the false lumen of a dissected aorta

The subjects consisted of one patient with chronic type A and three patient s with chronic type B aortic dissection, who underwent replacement of an ao rta obliterating distal false lumen. After the repair, the formation of two layers was detected by direct scanning echocardiography within the false l umen even during heparinization. In all cases, postoperative computed tomog raphy confirmed complete thrombosis of the false lumen. The formation of tw o layers was considered to be a reliable predictor of late thrombosis. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.