Transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of aortic pathology

Transesophageal echocardiography is an excellent method for diagnosing aortic pathology, especially dissection, and has replaced transthoracic echocardiography for this purpose. Advantages of the transesophageal method are its speed, portability, and accuracy. Disadvantages are the requirements of operator skill and patient sedation, as well as poor visualization of the distal 2-3 cm of the ascending aorta. Transesophageal echocardiography may become the initial diagnostic procedure of choice when acute dissection is suspected.