Disease Information : AD : Diagnosis

Aortic Dissection : Diagnosis

• What is It?
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How is Aortic Dissection Diagnosed?

When a physician suspects the diagnosis of aortic dissection, an imaging test is generally ordered to evaluate the aorta. There are three primary tests used to diagnose aortic dissection. Aortic dissection can be diagnosed with a CAT scan of the aorta or an MRI scan. A transesophageal echo (TEE) may also be performed. A TEE is a special type of ultrasound test during which a small ultrasound probe is passed through the mouth and into the stomach and esophagus to take very detailed pictures of the heart and aorta. Currently there are no blood tests that can accurately diagnose aortic dissection.

Aortic Dissection section was last modified: April 25, 2008 - 04:51 pm