Abdominal and Pelvic Trauma
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Aids
Bowel Obstruction
Central Vertigo
Croup
Diphtheria
Epiglottitis
Fifth Metatarsal Fracture
Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Infant Botulism
Mastoiditis
Meningococcemia
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Optic Neuritis
Osteomyelitis
Panic Disorder
Pericarditis
Pneumonia
Reye's Syndrome
Salicylates
Schizophrenia
Tetanus
Tumor
Volvulus
Wound Botulism

Traumatic Aortic Rupture

Aortic rupture is usually caused by a sudden impact or deceleration (e.g., high-speed motor vehicle collision, a fall from a height, or a pedestrian struck by an automobile). Most of the victims of aortic rupture die before arrival in the ED. The majority of those who reach the ED may survive if they are diagnosed and treated promptly. Many patients are unconscious or have other serious injuries that may mask symptoms of great vessel injury. If the EMS reports that passengers were not wearing seat belts, that the car was not equipped with airbags, or that the steering wheel or dashboard was damaged, then vessel injury should be seriously considered.

Causes

Traumatic aortic disruption is caused by the shearing forces of high-speed front and side impact automobile accidents and by falls from great heights that tear the aorta away from the heart.

Symptoms

Chest pain +++
Dyspnea ++
Back pain ++
Hoarseness
Dysphagia
Painful extremity

Signs

Abrasions
Ecchymosis
Tenderness of the chest wall
Pseudo-coarctation-elevated blood pressure in the upper extremities with absent femoral pulses ++
Harsh precordial or interscapular murmur ++

Treatment

Once traumatic aortic disruption is confirmed, the only treatment is surgery. The question is whether or not to operate immediately. The answer depends on what other injuries the patient has suffered and whether the aortic rupture is likely to get worse suddenly. Since the forces that cause aortic injury are tremendous, they often cause other injuries that are more immediately life threatening. In these cases, the your doctor may decide to treat these injuries before doing heart surgery.

Bookmark This Page:

Disclaimer: The information contained in this www.diseasesatoz.org web site is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Everyone's specific situation is different from everyone else's and a health care professional should be consulted about any decision regarding your medical care. We will not be liable for any complications, or other medical accidents arising from the use of any information in this site.