title: Blunt chest trauma in the elderly.
abstract: Significant differences were identified between a group of elderly patients (65 years and older) and a nonelderly group both with blunt thoracic trauma. There was a lower incidence of elderly patients presenting in shock; however, cardiopulmonary arrest at arrival was more frequent in this group. Although the types of complications were similar in both populations, the morbidity and mortality rates were higher in the elderly. A high index of suspicion must be generated for an elderly patient who has sustained blunt chest trauma. An aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach may lead to a decrease in the high morbidity and mortality rates in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, Baltimore.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Shorr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Indeck
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Crittenden
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartunian
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cowley
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015142:Baltimore; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D012737:Sex Factors; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality