Spontaneous dissection of the ascending aorta diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography

In two patients with acute dissection of the ascending aorta, the diagnosis was made with two-dimensional echocardiography and confirmed by aortography. The echocardiograms localized the intimal flap and false channel in both cases. Although clinical evaluation and indicated radiologic studies remain the primary modalities of diagnosis in acute aortic dissection, two-dimensional echocardiography may be a useful additional diagnostic technique.