title: Traumatic dissection and rupture of the abdominal aorta as a complication of the Heimlich maneuver.
abstract: Although the Heimlich maneuver is considered the best intervention for relieving acute upper airway obstruction, several complications have been reported in the literature. These complications can occur as a result of an increase in abdominal pressure leading to a variety of well-documented visceral injuries, including the great vessels. Acute abdominal aortic thrombosis after the Heimlich maneuver is a rare but recognized event; however, to date no case of traumatic dissection and rupture of the abdominal aorta has been described. We report the first known case, to our knowledge, of a traumatic dissection and rupture of the abdominal aorta after a forcefully applied Heimlich maneuver.
authors.affiliation: The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. bcdesai@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Shaun C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Dennis J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Chute
authors.forename: Bharati C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Eugene R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Koloski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D011312:Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed