Double traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta.

A 23-year-old woman was involved in an automobile accident and sustained a double traumatic rupture of the aorta, at the isthmus distal to the left subclavian artery and at the base of the innominate artery. A successful repair was accomplished within 4 hours of the injury using profound hypothermia and total circulatory arrest. To our knowledge, this case represents the first successful surgical repair of a double traumatic rupture of the aorta. Followup at 2 years showed an excellent postoperative recovery and the patient gainfully employed.