[Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement's Reults And Indications At Cadiology Department At Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec]. / Indications Et Resultats De La Mesure Ambulatoire De Pression Arterielle Au Service De Cardiologie De L'Hopital Aristide Le Dantec.

High blood pressure (HTA) is a public health problem. It affects more than one billion people around the world, more than a quarter of the world's population. In recent years the ABPM (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement) has become a valuable and widely used tool for the diagnosis and management of hypertension. The aims of this study were to determine the indications of MAPA to the cardiology department of Aristide le Dantec Hospital; to determine the results and to evaluate the blood pressure profile of our patients. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study, over 37 months from December 2010 to December 2013 covering all the results of the ABPMs recorded during this period. Was included any patient over 18 years of age with an ABPM. All ABPMs with less than 50 good measures per 24 hours were not included. RESULTS: A total of 204 MAPA results were included of a total of 307. The mean age was 49.6 ± 11.5 years with extremes of 25 years and 78 years. The sex ratio was 1.5 in favour of women. Indications were dominated by labile HTA (34.8%); masked HTA (27.9%) and suspicious of the white coat effect (12.3%). The analysis of the results showed that MAPA was normal in 49.5%. The white coat effect was found in 32% (65 patients) of ABPM. In patients with abnormal ABPM, permanent systolic-diastolic hypertension predominated (57%). HTA masked was noted in 25.7% of our patients and HTA white coat was found in 3.8% of cases. In the hypertensive patients treated, MAPA revealed a poor blood pressure balance in 42.1%. Among the HTA prognostic factors we noted32.4% of patients were "Non Dippers", a pulse pressure greater than or equal to 60 mmHg in 59%. CONCLUSION: The use of this exploration is an important aid to practitioners in the diagnostic, therapeutic and prognosis phase of the management of hypertension. It should become more important as it provides better information on the blood pressure profile for the patients.

INTRODUCTION: L'hypertension artérielle(HTA) représente un problème de santé publique. Elle concerne plus d'un milliard d'individus à travers le monde, soit plus du quart de la population mondiale. Ces dernières années la MAPA (mesure ambulatoire de la pression artérielle) est devenue un outil précieux et largement utilisé pour le diagnostic et la prise en charge de l'HTA. Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de déterminer les indications de la MAPA au service de cardiologie de l'hôpital Aristide le Dantec ; d'en déterminer les résultats et d'évaluer le profil tensionnel de nos patients. MÉTHODES: Nous avons réalisé une étude rétrospective, sur 37 mois allant de Décembre 2010 à Décembre 2013 portant sur l'ensemble des résultats des MAPA enregistrées durant cette période. Était inclus tout patient âgé de plus de 18 ans chez qui une MAPA a été enregistré Toutes les MAPA ayant moins de 50 bonnes mesures par 24 heures n'ont pas été inclus. RÉSULTATS: Au total 204 résultats de MAPA ont été inclus sur un total de 307. L'âge moyen était de 49,6 ± 11,5 ans avec des extrêmes de 25 ans et 78 ans. Le sex ratio était de 1,5 en faveur des femmes. Les indications étaient dominées par l'HTA labile (34,8%) ; l'HTA masquée (27,9%) et la recherche de l'effet blouse blanche (12,3%). L'analyse des résultats avait montré que la MAPA était normale dans 49,5% des cas. L'effet blouse blanche était retrouvé dans 32% (65 patients) des MAPA réalisées à visée diagnostique. Chez les patients dont les résultats étaient anormaux l'HTA systolo-diastolique permanente prédominait (57%) avec une différence significative (p=0,003). L'HTA masquée étaient notée chez 25,7% de nos patients et l'HTA blouse blanche était retrouvée dans 3,8% des cas. Chez les hypertendus traités, la MAPA avait révélé un mauvais équilibre tensionnel dans 42.1% des cas et cela au dépens de la systolique avec une différence significative (p=0,02). Parmi les facteurs pronostiques on retrouvait 32,4% de patients « Non Dippers ¼, une pression pulsée supérieure ou égale à 60 mm Hg dans 59%. Le caractère adrénergique était retrouvé chez 65,7% de nos patients. CONCLUSION: L'utilisation de cette exploration constitue une aide importante aux praticiens à la phase diagnostique, thérapeutique, et pronostique de la prise en charge de l'HTA. Elle devrait occuper de plus en plus de place car elle donne de meilleurs renseignements sur le profil tensionnel dans l'environnement quotidien habituel du patient.

[Cardiovascular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus in Dakar: Descriptive study about 50 cases]. / Les manifestations cardio-vasculaires au cours du lupus érythémateux systémique à Dakar : étude descriptive à propos de 50 cas.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a non-specific inflammatory disorder of an organ of unknown cause and autoimmune origin. Visceral injuries, including those cardiovascular, determine the prognosis of this disease primarily affecting women. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency and describe the cardiovascular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus in a lupus population of the Dakar region. This is a multicenter prospective study descriptive and analytical conducted in the region of Dakar (Senegal) from 14 February 2011 to 2 July 2012. Patients were either hospitalized or monitored as outpatients. Included were all patients with lupus and meeting at least four criteria of the American College of Rheumatology of lupus disease classification 1997. All patients underwent physical examination, an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram looking for cardiovascular damage. The collected data were entered into the Epi Info version 3.5.1 and processed with SPSS 16.0 software. Quantitative variables are described in the median and the qualitative workforce, percentage and frequency. We have included 50 patients. The average age of the population was 36.18 years. A female predominance is noted with a sex ratio man/woman of 0.09. Cardiovascular functional symptoms were dominated by dyspnea stage II to IV NYHA (26%) and palpitations (22%). The physical signs we have found were mainly tachycardia (40%), spontaneous turgor of the jugular veins (29%), a muffling of the heart sounds (29%) and a infandibulopulmonairy shock (18%). The frequency of cardiovascular events was 46%. Electrical cardiac events were dominated by sinus tachycardia (40%) of repolarization disorders (16.3%) type of ischemia, injury, ischemia injury, necrosis and hypertrophy with 18% atrial and left ventricular hypertrophy each. Furthermore, one case of BAV first degree at 280 ms was recorded. We found 19 cases of pericarditis including 2 tamponade, 3 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy hyperkinesias with impaired ejection fraction less than 35% and 8 patients with mild PAH important. In systemic lupus erythematosus, cardiovascular events are worrying and may remain asymptomatic for awhile. Their research must be systematic in order to treat early.

[Prevalence of dyslipidemia in the rural population of Gueoul (Senegal)]. / Prévalence de la dyslipidémie dans la population rurale de Guéoul (Sénégal).

INTRODUCTION: The cardiovascular risk factors are clearly increasing in developing countries. Among these factors, dyslipidemia is often found, this due to the change in behavioral and dietary habits (OMS, 2006). Dyslipidemia is a "primary or secondary pathological changes in serum lipids". It is a chronic and metabolic abnormality, characterized by persistently elevated TG, LDL-c, and a decrease in HDL (Attias et al., 2013-2014). The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia, and give the lipid profile of the population in Gueoul. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a comprehensive observational study, cross-sectional descriptive on Senegalese aged 35 or over, living in Gueoul for at least 6 months. Lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) was systematically after 12hours of fasting. RESULTS: Dyslipidemia was found in 61.3 % of cases with 50 % pure hypercholesterolemia (n=705). Only 20 subjects (2.3 %) knew they had dyslipidemia. The detection rate was 59.8 % (n=844). The type most represented was hypoHDLemia (45.6 %) followed by hyperLDLemia (28.8 %). Triglycerides were increased in only 2.8 % of cases. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dyslipidemia is very high in our regions. It is often associated with female gender, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Its main causes are physical inactivity, change in lifestyle and eating habits. It is often misunderstood and its management is limited in most cases to low-calorie diet.

[A familial form of ventricular non compaction in a mother and two of his sons in St. Louis, Senegal]. / Une forme familiale de la non-compaction ventriculaire chez une mère et deux de ses fils à Saint-Louis du Sénégal.

We report a familial form of ventricular non compaction in a mother and two of her sons. It was a young man of 25 years who presented with NYHA stage III dyspnea and a cough with bloody sputum. The clinical examination found left ventricular failure. The echocardiogram done showed left ventricular dilatation with large trabeculae separated by deep intertrabecular recesses in both ventricles suggestive of a non-biventricular compaction. It was possible to note from the family screening by echocardiography of the mother and half-brother a left ventricular non compaction while they were asymptomatic. Thus we concluded a familial form of ventricular non-compaction. This is the first familial case described in Senegal.

[Venous thrombosis and bilateral arterial occlusion of lower limb revealing HIV infection]. / Thrombose veineuse et occlusion artérielle bilatérale des membres inférieurs révélant une infection par le VIH.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause vascular complications. This is most often of lower limb venous thrombosis. Rare cases of limb ischemia indicative of HIV infection have been described.We report a case of venous thrombosis of the left lower limb and bilateral lower arterial ischemia revealing an HIV infection in a patient of 44 years. The CD4 count was 195/mm(3). Investigations on coagulation were not realized. The patient was amputated both his legs.

[Prevalence and factors related to therapeutic adherence among black African outpatients with stable coronary artery disease in a cardiology department of Dakar in Senegal]. / Prévalence et facteurs liés à l'observance thérapeutique chez des patients noirs africains coronariens stables, suivis en ambulatoire en service de cardiologie de Dakar au Sénégal.

INTRODUCTION: The management of coronary artery disease has made important progress. Adherence to therapeutic measures is a great challenge for improving the long-term prognosis. In this work, we evaluate factors related to therapeutic adherence in black African patients with stable coronary artery disease. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a survey over three months (February-May 2008) in three cardiology departments in Dakar. We studied the regularity of drug intake, the adherence to the dietary advices and the appointments for consultation as well as the factors related to adherence. Good adherence was defined by a compliance rate greater or equal to 80% and a compliance rate less than 40% defined poor adherence. RESULTS: We included 105 patients (61 men) with a mean age of 60.67±11.29 years. Good compliance was noted in 56.2% of cases for drug treatment, 42% for dietary advices and 65% for appointments for consultation. A history of acute coronary events (P=0.04), a good knowledge of the disease (P=0.03) and a healthcare (P=0.02) were the factors related to a good adherence to drug treatment, whereas ischemic cardiomyopathy was a factor for poor adherence (P=0.002). Knowledge of coronary disease was the only factor correlated with good adherence to lifestyle (P=0.014). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic adherence remains unsatisfactory in Black African patients with stable coronary artery disease, hence the importance of patient education to reach a good adherence for therapeutic, because better adherence improves long-term prognosis of coronary artery disease.

[Screening for asymptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease of the lower limbs by measuring the ankle-brachial index in the general population (Senegal)]. / Dépistage de l'artériopathie oblitérante asymptomatique des membres inférieurs par la mesure de l'index de pression systolique dans la population générale de Saint-Louis (Sénégal).

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAOD) and cardiovascular risk factors associated with the ankle-brachial index (ABI) in Senegalese patients aged 40 years and over. METHODOLOGY: We prospectively studied a random sample of Senegalese aged 40 years and older, residing in the city of St.-Louis, Senegal. The ABI was measured with a portable doppler (DIADOP 50) using 4 and 8Hz dual frequency probes. The standards were: normal ABI 0.9 to 1.3; peripheral artery obstructive disease (PAOD) ABI less than 0.9; incompressible artery ABI greater than 1.3. Cardiovascular risk factors were also studied. RESULTS: Seven hundred and seventy-one subjects (mean age 57 ± 11.2 years, 559 women) were examined. Cardiovascular risk factors were: sedentary lifestyle (76.4%), hypertension (68%), obesity (32.1%), elevated LDL-cholesterolemia (27.8%), diabetes (18.3%) and tobacco smoking (6.9%). Ninety-three subjects (12.1%) had PAOD and 37 subjects (4.8%) had an incompressible artery. PAOD was significantly more common in sedentary subjects (P=0.008), in the elderly (P=0.0006) and in patients with a history of coronary artery disease (P=0.04). Smoking was not strongly associated with PAOD. CONCLUSION: PAOD is common in Senegalese and is associated with high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.

Vascular complications of infective endocarditis.

UNLABELLED: The complications of infective endocarditis (IE) are frequent and severe. Our objectives were to analyze the clinical, paraclinical, and prognostic features of IE vascular complications observed in two cardiology units, in Dakar. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 90 patients presenting with of IE, hospitalized between January 2005 and February 2011. The diagnostic criteria for IE were modified Duke University criteria. We selected in our study population, patients with vascular complications. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (18.8%) presented with one or more vascular complications of IE: eight male and nine female patients, with a mean age of 28 years. Infective endocarditis occurred on an abnormal valve in 15 cases. We identified 22 vascular lesions: ten neurological complications, seven arterial complications in the limbs, two myocardial infarctions, two cases of pulmonary embolism, and one splenic infarction. The vascular complication revealed an IE in seven cases. The vascular complication occurred during antibiotic treatment, in 15 cases including seven cases before the 14th day, nine of the 17 patients died. Death was related to vascular complications in six cases, in one case it was related to septic shock. CONCLUSION: Vascular complications of IE are frequent, the most common are neurological. Their prevention requires early and adequate management of IE.

[Aortopulmonary infectious endocarditis with fatal evolution: a case report]. / Endocardite infectieuse aortopulmonaire d'évolution fatale : à propos d'un cas.

We report the case of an aortic and pulmonary infective endocarditis in a 25-year-old patient originating from Guinea Conakry. The patient did not have any particular cardiovascular antecedent. He is allowed in a table of total heart failure and fever. The transthoracic echocardiography found vegetations on the level of sigmoid aortic and pulmonary ones. A probabilistic bi-antibiotherapy was instituted while waiting for the results of hemocultures. The patient was apyretic after one week, with regression of inflammatory biological syndrome. However, he was deceased after 20 days in a table of heart failure. The necropsy found vegetations on the level of sigmoid aortic and pulmonary ones, which were perforated, a right lung oedema and a cardiac liver.

[Malignant fascicular ventricular tachycardia degenerating into ventricular fibrillation in a patient with early repolarization syndrome]. / Une tachycardie ventriculaire (TV) fasciculaire maligne dégénérant en fibrillation ventriculaire (FV) associée à un syndrome de repolarisation précoce.

A 45-year-old man was hospitalized for syncope due to fascicular ventricular tachycardia degenerating into ventricular fibrillation (VF). The electrocardiogram showed an early repolarization syndrome. The arrhythmia was repetitive and disappeared after oral hydroquinidine. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was implanted; subsequently, the patient was arrhythmia free at 9 months follow-up.

[Flaccid paraplegia revealing an adenoma of Conn: a case report]. / Paraplégie flasque révélant un adénome de Conn : à propos d'un cas.

We report the case of Conn's adenoma in a 36-year-old woman, revealed by low extremities weakness. The patient had hypertension at 170/90 mmHg. Her initial potassium level was low i.e., 1.5 mmol/L. The diagnosis, confirmed by hormonal investigation, showed an elevation of plasma aldosterone and lower plasma renin activity. Abdominal MRI revealed a lesion in left adrenal gland, measuring 1.8 cm in diameter and taking contrast in periphery, compatible with an adrenal adenoma. The patient underwent a left laparoscopic adrenalectomy and microscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis. The postoperative course was uneventful with normalization of serum potassium level and blood pressure.

[Evolution and thromboembolic complications of the idiopathic peripartal cardiomyopathy at Dakar University Hospital: forward-looking study about 33 cases]. / Évolution et complications thromboemboliques de la myocardiopathie idiopathique du péripartum au CHU de Dakar: étude prospective à propos de 33 cas.

UNLABELLED: The aims of this work are to study the nursery futures during idiopathic myocardiopathy of peripartum (IMPP), to measure the prevalence of thromboses and spontaneous contrast during the IMPP and to determine their evolution. METHODOLOGY: It is about a longitudinal exploratory study carried out with the Aristide-Le-Dantec teaching hospital of Dakar, beginning January 2001 to November 2004, having included 33 patients. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 26 years; the average pregnancy was of 3.39 gestures. The signs of cardiac insufficiency were constant and four patients (12%) had presented an ischemic cerebral vascular accident. We had raised an auricular case of fibrillation and tachycardia atrial multifocal. The transthoracic echography (ETT) noted an aspect of hypokinetic myocardiopathy dilated with deterioration of the systolic function of the left ventricle, a thrombus in ten patients (30.3%) and a spontaneous contrast in two cases (6%). The transoesophageal echocardiography (ETO) was superposable with the ETT with regard to dimensions of the cardiac cavities and the presence of thrombus but its sensitivity was higher (100% against 66%) with regard to the detection of contrasts spontaneous. All the patients had the treatment of a congestive heart failure associated to an anticoagulant treatment. The evolution was marked by an improvement of the heart failure. The thrombus and spontaneous contrast had disappeared in all the patients. The absence of anaemia and the presence of spontaneous contrast (p=0.003) were correlated with the presence of thrombosis (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: The idiopathic myocardiopathy of the peripartum is a relatively frequent affection in zone Soudano-Sahelian. Occurrence of thromboses is frequent at the time of this affection. Our study confirms the superiority of the echocardiography transoesophageal in the detection of intracardiac spontaneous contrast. The evolution can be favourable subject to a rigorous care and a regular surveillance.

[Diffuse interstitial lung disease and connective tissue diseases: study of seven cases in Dakar]. / Les pneumopathies interstitielles diffuses non specifiques au cours des connectivites: à propos de 7 observations à Dakar.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung disease non specific in connective tissue disease is difficult because of many differential diagnoses. Lung involvement can affect functional or vital prognosis. We report 7 cases. CASES: We collected data from 60 years old mean patients. Pulmonary localisation was diagnosed after 19 years of evolution of the auto-immune disease. Discovering circumstances were dyspnea and chronic cough. The radiographic and scannographic signs were diffuse because of long diagnosis delay. The underlying auto immune disease was scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, Sharp's syndrome, and multiple autoimmune syndrome. The main treatment was corticosteroids and respiratory physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Throughout these 7 cases we discuss clinical, radiological and evolutive aspects and we focus on the need of early diagnosis for a better prognosis.

[Pulmonary embolism: autopsy study of 73 cases in Senegal]. / L'embolie pulmonaire: étude nécropsique à propos de 73 cas.

INTRODUCTION: The Pulmonary emblism is a vascular disease which is characterized by the more or less complete obstruction of one or several pulmonary arteritis and/or their branches by an embol. Very polymorphic affection, mortal in the massiv form, it has in the average forms of the atypical or misleading aspects which make its clinical diagnosis difficult. The diagnostic strategy of the pulmonary embolism remains incompletely solved. The objectives of this work are: --to evaluate the prevalence with the autopsy of the pulmonary embolism and its distribution according to the age, --to appreciate the correlation enters the ante and the post-mortems diagnoses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is about a retrospective study, over 10 years period, having inclued the files of all the patients died in the various services of medicine or surgery of the university hospital of Aristide Le Dantec but also those transferred from outside of the hospital and at which the pulmonary diagnosis post-mortem of embolism was retained. RESULTS: Sixty thirteen (73) cases of pulmonary embolism had been found during autopsies during the period of study (10 ans), that is to say a prevalence of 1.9%. The average was 35 years. The most representative age bracket was that ranging beetwin 21 and 30 years is 36% of the studied population. On the 73 indexed patients, 30 (41%) were transferred from outside of the hospital and 43 (59%) came from the servicies of medecine and surgery with a prevalance of the service of cardiology (26%). The correlation beetween ante-mortems diagnosis and the anatomical result was 11% for the whole of the patients incleded in the study. However, it was 42% for the sub-grup of patients comming from the service of cardiology. CONCLUSION: The prevalence with the autopsy of pulmonary embolism is weak. The clinical diagnosis of this affection is difficult even in a specilised service with a high rate of negatif forgeries. This pathology is very under- evaluated even in these services.

[Active rheumatic heart disease: findings from an 17-case series in the University Hospital Center of Dakar, Senegal]. / Cardiopathies rhumatismales evolutives a propos de 17 cas colligés au CHU de Dakar.

This report is based on retrospective review of the charts of 18 patients with pre-existing active rheumatic heart disease compiled over a period of two years (January 2000 to December 2001). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of acute degenerative joint disease, to describe the clinical features and natural course of the disease, and to highlight the main points in the fight against degenerative joint disease and rheumatic heart disease. The prevalence of active rheumatic disease was 3.7%. Mean patient age was 15.5 years (range: 8 to 25 years). Female sex was predominant with 13 girls and 4 boys (sex ratio: 3.25). The most common clinical symptoms were migratory polyarthritis involving large joints in 14 cases (82.3%) and left heart insufficiency in 13 (76.4%). Additional clinical findings included oscillating fever in 8 cases (47.05%), tooth decay in 11 (73.3%), and poor buccodental hygiene in 14 (93.3%). Blood tests to evaluate inflammation demonstrated high values in all patients with mean ASLO titer of 950 UI/l, mean serum fibrin level of 7.8 g/l, and mean C-reactive protein level of 28.5 mg/l. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was high in 15 cases (88.2%). In addition to showing heart valve disease, electrocardiography demonstrated first-degree atrioventricular block in 1 case. Chest x-ray revealed cardiomegaly in 15 cases (88.2%). Doppler ultrasonography of the heart showed isolated rheumatoid disease in 11 cases (64.7%). All patients responded favourably to treatment with corticosteroids and penicillin. The incidence of recurrence of active disease was high (70.5%) thus supporting use of high loading doses. Rheumatic heart disease is a public health problem in Africa and requires appropriate preventive measures.

[Electrocardiographic recording of long duration (Holter) of 24 hours during idiopathic cardiomyopathy of the peripartum]. / Enregistrement électrocardiographique de longue durée (holter) des 24 heures au cours de la cardiomyopathie idiopathique du péripartum.

The idiopathic myocardiopathy of the peripartum (IMPP) is a frequent disease in the Soudano-Sahelian zone of Africa whose evolution is loaded with many complications hemodynamic, thrombo-embolic and rhythmic. The prevalence and the meaning of the rhythm disorders are unknown. The aims of this prospective study are to measure and to describe the prevalence of the anomalies observed in Holter ECG of 24 hours. It's about a description cross-sectional study realized at the Cardiology Department (CHU Dakar) and 19 patients with IMPP were included, from October 2000 to July 2002. A recording ECG of 24 hours (Holter) was realized on all the patients. The average age was 29.4+/-6.9 years with a low socio-economic level (100%). The diagnosis of IMPP done before childbirth in 4 cases (21%) and the post partum on 15 patients (78.9%). The dyspnea was constant, the chest pain in 12 cases (63.1%) and palpitations in 8 cases (42%). The average rate of hemoglobin was of 10.85+/-2.05 g/dL. The standard electrocardiogram recorded a sinusal tachycardia (68.4%), a cavitary hypertrophy (78.8%), and disorders of the repolarization (47.3%). The cardiac echo-Doppler noted a cavitary dilatation (84.2%), a constant alteration of the left ventricular systolic function with a fraction of average ejection of 29.7+/-10.3%. The anatomy of the valves was normal. The recording Holter ECG of 24 hours recorded a sinusal tachycardia in 17 cases (89.4%), ventricular extrasystoles on 7 patients (36.8%), 4 cases of ventricular tachycardia non-sustained and double ventricular extrasystole on 1 patient, auricular extrasystoles in 4 cases (21%) and 1 case of auriculo-ventricular block of the first degree. The study of heart rate variability founded a mean value of 106 ms.

[Role of transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of aortic dissection. Report of 5 cases]. / Apport de l'echocardiographie transoesophagienne dans le diagnostic de la dissection de l'aorte. A propos de 5 observations sénégalaises.

Aortic dissection is medical and surgical emergency. About 5 cases, the authors emphasized the role of transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of aortic dissection. For all patients we realized a clinical examination, electrocardiogram, chest X ray, thoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and laboratory studies. Echocardiography were performed by an apparatus Hewlett Packard sonos 1000 with colour doppler and multiplanar transesophageal. Transesophageal echocardiography made the diagnosis by showing dilatation of aorta, intimal flap, false channel; this exam also allow to classify the aortic dissection.