Transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of diseases of the thoracic aorta - Part II - Atherosclerotic and traumatic diseases of the aorta

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has provided an accurate new window for the evaluation of diseases of the thoracic aorta. Experience with TEE h as led to an increased recognition of atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta as a source of cerebral and systemic embolism. Certain features of aortic plaque morphology detected by TEE may prove to have prognostic and therapeu tic significance, The intraoperative assessment of thoracic aortic atherosc lerosis by TEE may guide modifications in surgical techniques and aortic ma nipulations that reduce the incidence of perioperative neurologic complicat ions. TEE has also become a valuable tool for the diagnostic evaluation of patients with blunt chest trauma. The precise role of TEE in the management of these disorders is currently under investigation.