OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging in the diagnosis of aortic dissection.

METHODSEighty-two patients with aortic dissection were admitted. The role of IVUS was evaluated and compared with CT, MRI, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), Duplex scanning and digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

RESULTSThe different laminar appearance of the outer wall of the true and false lumen, characteristic alterations in the true and false lumen junction and the thrombosis in the false lumen detected by IVUS were useful to differentiate the true from the false lumen. Static and dynamic narrowing, causing visceral ischemia could be detected by IVUS imaging. The detection rate of entry site by IVUS was 100%, higher than CT (28%), MRI (22%), TTE (2%) and TEE (61%), P < 0.01, having no statistic difference with DSA (88%). The detection rate of the distal end of the dissection by IVUS was 100%, higher than Duplex (21%), P < 0.01, but had no statistic difference as compared with CT (89%) and MRI (86%). The detection rate of visceral arteries by IVUS was 98%, higher than CT (56%), MRI (57%), Duplex (17%) and DSA (66%), P < 0.01. The aortic diameter measured by IVUS was correlated well with CT measurement (r = 0.94, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSA full picture of aortic dissection can be obtained using IVUS imaging. It has an advantage over routine examinations in detecting visceral artery origin and clarifying visceral ischemia causes.