TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Aortic Surgery and Atheroma Assessment A1 - Swaminathan, Madhav A1 - Mathew, Joseph P. A2 - Mathew, Joseph P. A2 - Nicoara, Alina A2 - Ayoub, Chakib M. A2 - Swaminathan, Madhav PY - 2018 T2 - Clinical Manual and Review of Transesophageal Echocardiography, 3e AB - Aortic diseases can range from apparently innocuous atherosclerosis to complex aneurysmal pathology. Regardless of the type of disease, the involvement of aortic pathology in any surgical plan can present a challenge to both surgeons and anesthesiologists. Whereas significant atherosclerosis at critical locations can alter surgical plans, aortic dissections can rupture and are life threatening, require rapid and accurate diagnosis, and need definitive medical and/or surgical management due to their high risk of morbidity and mortality.1,2 A key ingredient in the efficient management of these patients is imaging of the thoracic aorta. The anatomical juxtaposition of the esophagus and aorta makes transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) an attractive imaging tool. It is now recognized as an essential noninvasive diagnostic modality for acute thoracic aortic pathologies, and is a standard part of the echocardiographer's armamentarium in the operating room.3–6 In emergent situations, TEE may be the only imaging modality available. It is therefore important for the echocardiographer to quickly and accurately verify the diagnosis, distinguish true pathology from the many common confounding artifacts, and clearly communicate precise echocardiographic findings of the aorta and related cardiac anatomy to the surgeon to guide intervention. The following text reviews aortic anatomy and pathology and associated echocardiographic features that assist with imaging during aortic surgery. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/16 UR - accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1195102966 ER -