An Experimental Cadaveric Study for a Better Understanding of Blunt Traumatic Aortic Rupture

Abstract

Four mechanisms are suspected to explain the location of the rupture: two hemodynamic mechanism (sudden increase of intravascular pressure and the water-hammer effect), and two physical mechanisms (sudden stretching of the isthmus and the osseous pinch). A greater understanding of the mechanism of this injury could improve vehicle safety leading to a reduction in its incidence and severity. Future work in this area should include the creation of an inclusive, dynamic model of computer-based modeling systems. This study provides for the first time physical demonstration and quantification of the stretching of the isthmus, leading to a computerized model of BTAR.

Brain-Stem Laceration and Blunt Rupture of Thoracic Aorta

“…6,13 Four mechanisms are suspected to explain the location of the rupture: 2 hemodynamic mechanisms (sudden increase of intravascular pressure and the waterYhammer effect), and 2 physical mechanisms (sudden stretching of the isthmus and the osseous pinch theory). 8 The fundamental mechanism that causes blunt traumatic aortic rupture is sudden stretching of the aorta. The isthmus of the aorta lies at the junction between the mobile and fixed parts of aorta.…”

“…Following a complete transsection, blood exsanguinates into the mediastinum and pleural cavity and the victim usually dies. 8 Traumatic brainstem rents, mainly in the pontomedullar junction, were first reported by Lindenberg and Freytag in 1970. 9 These lacerations may be either partial or complete and are associated with fracture of the cervical spine, hinge, or ring fractures.…”

Posterior acceleration as a mechanism of blunt traumatic injury of the aorta

“…Limited field data and experimental studies have provided some insight into thoracic tolerance to posteriorly directed acceleration (Stapp, 1970;Mertz and Gadd, 1971;Melvin et al, 1998;Baque et al, 2006). None of those studies, however, explicitly attempted to isolate acceleration as a mechanical input into the body.…”

Stent Grafts for Acute Traumatic Injury of the Thoracic Aorta: A Single-Centre Experience

“…A complex multivariate process secondary to a combination of stresses [1] can lead to a wide spectrum of lesions. On the one hand, only intimal flaps can arise, but on the other hand, complete transsection with hemorrhagic pleural effusion is possible.…”