Transient hypotension after high-speed head-on motor vehicle collision.
A 43-year-old woman was taken to the accident and emergency department after a high-speed motor vehicle collision. She had only minor external injuries, but developed an episode of hypotension, which rapidly responded to fluid infusion. Chest X-ray showed a widened superior mediastinum. Computed tomography confirmed thoracic aortic injury. In patients with high-speed deceleration injury, even transient hypotension should be taken seriously and a diligent search for the source of bleeding should be immediately undertaken.
Chung
C H
CH
Accident and Emergency Department, North District Hospital, 9 Po Kin Road, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology*