aortic laceration

• deceleration injury

• 80% at aortic isthmus (just distal to insertion of lig. arteriosum)
• other sites:
  • proximal ascending aorta
  • descending aorta at diaphragmatic hiatus
  • transverse aortic arch

• laceration usually transverse
• all layers involved in only 40%

© 2002, C.E. Kahn, Jr.
2002-04-18