Deceleration trauma to the heart and great vessels after road-traffic accidents.
Four young men involved in high-speed car crashes developed cardiovascular trauma. Two patients had aortic aneurysms, one rupture of the mitral valve, and one ventricular septal defect; successful surgical correction was undertaken in all. The importance of considering the possibility of cardiovascular trauma in these circumstances is emphasized, and x-ray films (repeated if necessary) should be taken even when there are no external signs of trauma.
D000054:Acceleration; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000293:injuries; D011859:Radiography