[Diagnosis and evaluation of isthmic coarctations of the aorta by bidimensional echocardiography].

Two cases of thoracic aortic coarctation seen on the suprasternal incidence of bidimensional echocardiography are reported. In one case, the observed echocardiographic image is an obstruction of the vascular lumen. In the other there is only reduction of the vascular calibre. In both cases, a complete examination of the aortic arch and its major branches, substrictural aortic region, and cardiac valves was obtained. The echographic results were concordant with those of the angiography, except for an underestimation of the severity of the thoracic stenosis in the second case, with the echography. An echographic post-operative control in the first case showed normalization of the vascular calibre in the isthmus region. Echocardiography allows visualization of thoracic aortic coarctations and examination of associated vascular and cardiac lesions. However, problems remain in the quantification of stenosis, which are inherent to the technique.