In fact, flow in the false lumen may be absent or in the opposite direction (retrograde) to that of the true lumen. The sluggish flow in the false lumen may result in the presence of spontaneous echo contrast, sometimes referred to as ‘‘smoke.’’ The false lumen may also contain variable degrees of thrombus. Additional findings in patients with
aortic dissection include dilatation of the aorta, compression of the left atrium, AR, pericardial and/or pleural effusion, and involvement of the coronary arteries. Table 7