[Initial experiences with echocardiography 3D reconstruction of the thoracic aorta]

Although the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become the method of choice for the diagnosis as well as for the follow-up of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections, there are still some uncertainties concerning the morphology, especially that of the aorta ascendens and the aortic arch. The introduction of the 3D reconstruction now allows an exact volumetry, especially in the follow-up of aortic aneurysms, and may be helpful in better timing of the surgical intervention which is not only influenced by the horizontal diameter. Thus the 3D reconstruction of the thoracic aorta opens up a wide new field of TEE allowing a more detailed guidance preoperatively as well as a better definition of postoperative morphology.