@article{ref1,
title="Lateral impact motor vehicle collisions: significant cause of blunt traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta",
journal="Journal of trauma",
year="1997",
author="Waddell, J. P. and Sharkey, P. W. and Boulanger, B. R. and Brenneman, Frederick D. and McLellan, B. A. and Katyal, D.",
volume="42",
number="5",
pages="769-772",
abstract="BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta (TRA) and the direction of impact at the time of motor vehicle crash. METHODS: Retrospective review of TRA patients from two different databases over a 4.5-year period (January 1, 1991 to June 30, 1995): (1) Ontario Coroner's Office records of motor vehicle deaths from Metropolitan Toronto, and (2) the trauma registries of Sunnybrook Health Science Centre and St. Michael's Hospital in Metropolitan Toronto. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients (81 from the coroner's database and 16 from the adult trauma unit registries) sustained traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta. Forty-eight cases (49.5%) were a result of lateral impact crashes. Twenty-eight drivers (22 ipsilateral and six contralateral) and 20 passengers (16 ipsilateral and four contralateral) sustained TRA from lateral impact crashes. Ninety-one TRAs (94%) occurred at the peri-isthmic region. CONCLUSION: Lateral impact crashes are a significant cause of TRA. Traumatic rupture of the aorta should be considered with a high index of suspicion after serious lateral impact crashes, just as physicians now consider patients at high risk of TRA after serious frontal impact crashes.",
language="",
issn="0022-5282",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}