OBJECTIVES: To analyze the characteristics of thoracic aorta injury in road traffic accidents, to provide data reference for forensic identification. METHODS: The data of 27 traffic accident death cases with thoracic aorta injury were analyzed according to relevant parameters including sex, age, mode of transportation, and thoracic aorta injury. RESULTS: Aortic injury in traffic accidents was significantly more in males than females, and 74.1% cases were in the age range of 31-70 years. The most common mode of transportation was the motorcycle, followed by electric bike, most of which crashed with trucks. Most cases were accompanied by rib fractures and lung injuries. Thoracic aorta injury was the most common in ascending aorta, followed by aortic arch and thoracic aorta. Ascending aorta injury was most likely to occur in the range of 0-<1.6 cm from the aortic valve, while it was rare over 2.6 cm. Taking the aortic valve as the reference, the most common locations of injury were the anterior semilunar valve, followed by the right posterior semilunar valve and the left posterior semilunar valve. Thoracic aortic rupture occurred in 63.0% cases, and intima and media lacerations only occurred in 37.0% cases. A few deceased had aortic diseases. CONCLUSIONS The proximal part of the ascending aorta is prone to be injured because of the large external force of traffic accidents. The medical examiner should carefully examine the aortic injury in traffic accident deaths, and evaluate the relationship between the injury and the disease according to the condition and degree of aortic injury.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aorta, Thoracic/injuries* ; Accidents, Traffic ; Thoracic Injuries ; Aortic Rupture/etiology* ; Rib Fractures

OBJECTIVE: Several scoring systems have been developed to identify patients who require massive transfusion (MT) after major trauma to improve survival. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the usefulness of enhanced computed tomography attenuation values (CTAVs) of major vessels to determine the need for MT in patients with major blunt trauma.METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study evaluated patients aged 16 years or older who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the torso after major blunt trauma. The CTAVs of six major vessel points in both the arterial and portal venous phases at initial computed tomography examination were assessed and compared between the MT and the no MT group. The capability of enhanced CTAVs to predict the necessity for MT was estimated based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.RESULTS: Of the 254 eligible patients, 36 (14%) were in the MT group. Patients in the MT group had significantly higher CTAVs at all sites except the inferior vena cava in both the arterial and portal venous phases than that in the no MT group. The descending aorta in the arterial phase had the highest accuracy for predicting MT, with an AUROC of 0.901 (95% confidence interval, 0.855 to 0.947; P<0.001).CONCLUSION: Initial elevation of enhanced CTAV of the aorta is a predictor for the need for MT. A higher CTAV of the aorta should alert the trauma surgeon or emergency physician to activate their MT protocol.
Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Cohort Studies ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Torso ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: The endovascular approach to aortic disease treatment has been increasingly utilized in the past 2 decades. This study aimed to determine the long-term results of using the Seal thoracic stent graft. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair or a hybrid procedure using the Seal thoracic stent graft (S&G Biotech, Seongnam, Korea) from January 2008 to July 2018 at a single institution. We investigated in-hospital mortality and the incidence of postoperative complications. We also investigated the mid-term survival rate and incidence of aorta-related complications. RESULTS: Among 72 patients with stent grafts, 15 patients underwent the hybrid procedure and 21 underwent emergency surgery. The mean follow-up period was 37.86±30.73 months (range, 0–124 months). Five patients (6.9%) died within 30 days. Two patients developed cerebrovascular accidents. Spinal cord injury occurred in 2 patients. Postoperative renal failure, postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and pneumonia were reported in 3, 1, and 6 patients, respectively. Stent-related aortic complications were observed in 5 patients (6.8%). The 1- and 5-year survival and freedom from stent-induced aortic event rates were 81.5% and 58.7%, and 97.0% and 89.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of the Seal thoracic stent graft yielded good mid-term results. Further studies are needed to examine the long-term outcomes of this device.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Diseases ; Aortic Rupture ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Emergencies ; Endoleak ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Freedom ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pneumonia ; Postoperative Complications ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Stents ; Stroke ; Survival Rate

Congenital absent sternum is a rare birth defect that requires early intervention for optimal long-term outcomes. Descriptions of the repair of absent sternum are limited to case reports, and no preferred method for management has been described. Herein, we describe the use of porcine acellular dermal matrix to reconstruct the sternum of an infant with sternal infection following attempted repair using synthetic mesh. The patient was a full-term male with trisomy 21, agenesis of corpus callosum, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, right-sided aortic arch, and congenital absence of sternum with no sternal bars. Following removal of the infected synthetic mesh, negative pressure wound therapy with instillation was used to manage the open wound and provide direct antibiotic therapy. When blood C-reactive protein levels declined to ≤2 mg/L, the sternum was reconstructed using porcine acellular dermal matrix. At 21 months postoperative, the patient demonstrated no respiratory issues. Physical examination and computed tomography imaging identified good approximation of the clavicular heads and sternal cleft and forward curvature of the ribs. This case illustrates the benefits of negative pressure wound therapy and acellular dermal matrix for the reconstruction of absent sternum in the context of infected sternal surgical site previously repaired with synthetic mesh.
Acellular Dermis ; Agenesis of Corpus Callosum ; Aorta, Thoracic ; C-Reactive Protein ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Down Syndrome ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Head ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Methods ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Physical Examination ; Ribs ; Sternum ; Surgical Mesh ; Thoracic Surgery ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: The traumatic transection is located in the normal sized aortic isthmus where the angle is curved. We found a reversal of upper and lower blood pressure differences among patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for transection of the thoracic aorta. We investigated the isthmus stenosis in patients who underwent TEVAR for aortic injury using computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients who underwent TEVAR for transection were divided in two groups: the aortic narrowing (AN) group and the non-aortic narrowing (NAN) group. AN was defined as stent graft folding more than 5 mm at the isthmus confirmed by computed tomography. The length of aorta at isthmus, pseudoaneurysm, and angle of isthmus were measured. RESULTS: AN was noted in five patients (31.3%). The area index in the NAN group (2.16±0.35 cm2/m2) was larger than that in the AN group (1.74±0.77 cm2/m2). The size of the pseudoaneurysm in the NAN group (31.9±4.2 mm) was smaller than that in the AN group (37.4±7.5 mm). The distance from the subclavian artery in the NAN group (15.7±9.3 mm) was longer than that in the AN group (8.4±3.2 mm) but not statistically significant. The angle of the isthmus in the NAN group (131±6 degrees) was larger than that in the AN group (107±3 degrees), and this was the only statistically significant difference (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: AN by stent graft folding should be considered when performing TE-VAR in aortic injury with an acute angle of the isthmus less than 110 degrees.
Aneurysm, False ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Endovascular Procedures ; Humans ; Subclavian Artery ; Thoracic Injuries

A traumatic aortic injury due to blunt chest trauma is well recognized. However, a delayed death due to an aortic laceration after blunt chest trauma is very rare. A 49-year-old man arrived at the emergency room after falling from a height of approximately 4 m. Upon radiological examination, multiple fractures to his left ribs with a hemopneumothorax on his left side were found. After undergoing a closed thoracostomy, he was admitted to the general ward due to his vital signs being stable. After 13 hours from his admission, he complained of chest discomfort with the sudden development of massive blood drainage through his chest tube. A cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, where the patient then died and an autopsy was performed 36 hours after his death. On internal examination, a small laceration of the descending aorta with irritation of the tunica adventitia was revealed. Given the findings of an additional histological examination and the aforementioned findings, the author thought that the fractured fragments of the posterior ribs had irritated the tunica adventitia of the adjacent descending aorta for some time after the chest trauma and that a perforation had finally occurred. The author here reports a case of a delayed death due to an aortic laceration after a blunt chest trauma with the patient's clinical information and full autopsy findings.
Accidental Falls ; Adventitia ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Autopsy* ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Chest Tubes ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Fractures, Multiple ; Hemopneumothorax ; Humans ; Lacerations* ; Middle Aged ; Patients' Rooms ; Ribs ; Thoracic Injuries ; Thoracostomy ; Thorax* ; Vital Signs

Complex lesions of the thoracic aorta are traditionally treated in 2 surgical steps with the elephant trunk technique. A relatively new approach is the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique, which potentially allows combined lesions of the thoracic aorta to be treated in a 1-stage procedure combining endovascular treatment with conventional surgery using a hybrid prosthesis. These are very complex and time-consuming operations, and good results can be obtained only if appropriate strategies for myocardial, cerebral, and visceral protection are adopted. However, the FET technique is associated with a non-negligible incidence of spinal cord injury, due to the extensive coverage of the descending aorta with the excessive sacrifice of intercostal arteries. The indications for the FET technique include chronic thoracic aortic dissection, acute or chronic type B dissection when endovascular treatment is contraindicated, chronic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta, and chronic aneurysm of the distal arch. The FET technique is also indicated in acute type A aortic dissection, especially when the tear is localized in the aortic arch; in cases of distal malperfusion; and in young patients. In light of the great interest in the FET technique, the Vascular Domain of the European Association for cardio-thoracic Surgery published a position paper reporting the current knowledge and the state of the art of the FET technique. Herein, we describe the surgical techniques involved in the FET technique and we report our experience with the FET technique for the treatment of complex aortic disease of the thoracic aorta.
Aneurysm ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Diseases ; Arteries ; Elephants* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prostheses and Implants ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Tears

Anatomical variations of carotid arteries may be related to their development (agenesis, aplasia, hypoplasia) or course (coiling, kinking, tortuosity). Partial or total aberrancies in carotid vessel anatomy rarely occur. We describe the case of a 95-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of confusion and disorientation together with upper limb clonus. Computed tomography (CT)-scan revealed a left frontal brain injury with a not conclusive carotid doppler ultrasound. CT angiography reported a bovine aortic arch with bilateral retroesophageal course of both common carotid arteries and left severe (>70%) internal carotid artery stenosis. The knowledge of anatomical variations of the course of carotid arteries is relevant for possible surgical or endovascular repair or in case of otolaryngology or intubation procedures.
Angiography ; Aorta, Thoracic* ; Brain Injuries ; Cardiovascular Abnormalities ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common* ; Carotid Stenosis ; Female ; Humans ; Intubation ; Otolaryngology ; Ultrasonography ; Upper Extremity

A 66-year-old male patient arrived at the emergency room with a crush injury to his chest. Multiple rib fractures, hemothorax on both sides, left scapular fracture, liver laceration, and retroperitoneal hematoma were found upon the radiologic examination. After closed thoracostomy, the patient had been initially admitted to the intensive care unit, but he was transferred to the general ward on the next day. On the 4th post-trauma day, the patient complained of severe pain and there was bloody drainage through the chest tube. This case is an exploration with the consideration of the possibility of major bleeding and the subsequent repair of the descending thoracic aorta. This case is regarded as a case in which the aorta wall was damaged as the sharp margin of the fractured ribs caused continuous irritation.
Aged ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Rupture ; Chest Tubes ; Drainage ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Lacerations ; Liver ; Male ; Patients' Rooms ; Rib Fractures* ; Ribs ; Thoracic Injuries ; Thoracostomy ; Thorax

Aneurysm, False ; etiology ; Aorta, Thoracic ; injuries ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; etiology ; Child ; Humans ; Male ; Steel