[Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta].

UNLABELLED: Traumatic aortic rupture is highly lethal and its therapy is an ongoing challenge. We review our experience of traumatic aortic rupture with hemodynamical instability.

METHODS

We treated 8 cases of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta in the past 16 years at Omiya Medical Center, Jichi Medical School. Of these, 7 were male, and the average age was 36 years. All injuries were caused by traffic accidents and all disruptions were located in the aortic isthmus. Emergent surgical repair was conducted within 12 hours after the accident in all cases under hypothermic circulatory arrest.

RESULTS

Seven of 8 patients survived, free from neurological complications. One patient died of bleeding caused by visceral injury during surgery.

CONCLUSION

Hypothermic circulatory arrest is effective in salvage of hemodynamically unstable patients with traumatic aortic rupture. However, hemostasis of other organ bleeding is essential.