title: Aortic injuries in newer vehicles.
abstract: The occurrence of AI was studied in relation to vehicle model year (MY) among front seat vehicular occupants, age≥16 in vehicles MY≥1994, entered in the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System between 1997 and 2010 to determine whether newer vehicles, due to their crashworthiness improvements, are linked to a lower risk of aortic injuries (AI). MY was categorized as 1994-1997, 1998-2004, or 2005-2010 reflecting the introduction of newer occupant protection technology. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals for the association between AI and MY independent of possible confounders. Analysis was repeated, stratified by frontal and near lateral impacts. AI occurred in 19,187 (0.06%) of the 31,221,007 (weighted) cases, and contributed to 11% of all deaths. AIs were associated with advanced age, male gender, high BMI, near-side impact, rollover, ejection, collision against a fixed object, high ΔV, vehicle mismatch, unrestrained status, and forward track position. Among frontal crashes, MY 98-04 and MY 05-10 showed increased adjusted odds of AI when compared to MY 94-97 [OR 1.84 (1.02-3.32) and 1.99 (0.93-4.26), respectively]. In contrast, among near-side impact crashes, MY 98-04 and MY 05-10 showed decreased adjusted odds of AI [OR 0.50 (0.25-0.99) and 0.27 (0.06-1.31), respectively]. While occupants of newer vehicles experience lower odds of AI in near side impact crashes, a higher AI risk is present in frontal crashes.
authors.affiliation: The Charles C. Mathias, Jr. National Study Center for Trauma and EMS, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States; Program in Trauma, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address: rybgabriel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gabriel E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Ryb
authors.forename: Patricia C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Dischinger
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kleinberger
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McGwin
authors.forename: Russell L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000293:injuries*; D001336:Automobiles / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Aorta; Crashworthiness; Frontal crash; Injury; Model year; Motor vehicle crash; Side crash