Current diagnosis and management of blunt traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta

Abstract

The diagnosis and management of aortic lacerations has been gradually improving. Historically, aortic lacerations were a common cause of exsanguination with extremely high mortality rate. However, in modern trauma systems with advanced resuscitation and rapid radiology imaging, the diagnosis of an aortic injury is improving with an emphasis on preventing the progression of intimal flaps and pseudoaneurysms to frank dissection or rupture. Both diagnostic modalities and the paradigm of immediate operative intervention have changed. The evolution of endovascular stentingmay play a future role in definitive care. Copyright © 2007 by Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e de Cirurgia Vascular.