[I.v. DSA in the diagnosis and follow-up of thoracic aortic dissection].

Intravenous DSA was performed in 53 patients with suspected dissection of the thoracic aorta and in 13 patients following surgery for aortic dissection. In 36 patients, the suspected diagnosis could be excluded definitely and, in 14 cases out of 17, a dissection was correctly diagnosed. All 11 type B dissections were correctly diagnosed. Of six type A dissections, only three were adequately demonstrated by IV DSA. In type B dissections, IV DSA is reliable, but in type A dissection with massive aortic insufficiency or pericardial tamponade the findings are not reliable. In all 13 patients who had surgery for dissection, IV DSA proved suitable for showing the anastomosis and progress of the disease.