| Identify presence of a dissection flap |
Flap diving two lumens |
| Define extension of aortic dissection |
Extension of the flap and true/false lumens in the aortic root (ascending/arch/descending abdominal aorta) |
| Identify true lumen |
Systolic expansion, diastolic collapse, systolic jet directed away from the lumen, absence of spontaneous contrast, and forward systolic flow |
| Identify false lumen |
Diastolic diameter increase, spontaneous contrast and or thrombus formation, and reverse/delayed or absent flow |
| Identify presence of false luminal thrombosis |
Mass separated from the intimal flap and aortic wall inside the false lumen |
| Localize entry tear |
Disruption of the flap continuity with fluttering or ruptured intimal borders; color Doppler shows flow through the tear |
| Assess presence, severity and mechanisms of aortic regurgitation |
Anatomic definition of the valve (bicuspid, degenerated, and normal with/without prolapse of one cusp); dilation of different segments of the aorta; flap invagination into the valve; and severity by classic echocardiographic criteria |
| Assess coronary artery involvement |
Flap invaginated into the coronary ostium, flap obstructing the ostium, absence of coronary flow, and new regional wall motion abnormalities |
| Assess side-branch involvement |
Flap invaginated into the aortic branches |
| Detect pericardial and/or pleural effusion |
Echo-free space in the pericardium/pleura |
| Detect signs of cardiac tamponade |
Classic echocardiographic and Doppler signs of tamponade |
