BACKGROUNDThe traditional approach to blunt aortic injury (BAI) has been emergent intervention. This study aimed to utilize a modified imaging grading system that may allow us to categorize these injuries as needing emergent, urgent, or non-operative management.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to December 2011, 28 patients with BAI were managed at our institution. Imaging and medical records were reviewed retrospectively. BAI was classified into 4 grades based on imaging studies. Grade Ia: intimal tear, Grade Ib: intramural hematoma; Grade II: intimal injury with periaotic hematoma; Grade IIIa: aortic transection with pseudoaneurysm, Grade IIIb: multiple aortic injuries; and Grade IV: free rupture. Progression and clinical outcomes of ABI were analyzed.

RESULTSOf the 28 patients, 22 were males and 6 were females with mean age of 38 (range, 7 - 69) years. Twenty-five (89.3%) had descending thoracic aortic injury, two (7.1%) had abdominal aortic injury and one (3.6%) presented with multiple aortic injuries. Three patients (10.7%) with Grade I, 1 (3.6%) Grade II, 22 (78.6%) Grade III, and 2 (7.1%) Grade IV injuries. Twenty-five patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair and 3 were managed medically. Median time between injury and surgical intervention was (2 ± 1) days. One (3.6%) patient developed paraplegia after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). One Type 2 endoleak spontaneously sealed within 1 month, and another patient died from ruptured Type 1 endoleak 3 years later. Median follow-up time was 16 (range, 1 - 96) months. Perioperative 30-day mortality rate was 3.6%.

CONCLUSIONSThis study based on our modified BAI grading system indicated that Grade I BAI can be managed conservatively. Grade II injury requires close observation and repeated computerized tomography angiogram (CTA) within 48 - 72 hours. If injury appears worse on follow up imaging, surgery should be performed. Delayed repair of Grade III BAI is acceptable if associated life threatening traumatic injuries need to be addressed first.