title: Blunt chest trauma.
abstract: Blunt aortic injury is the most lethal injury of the thorax, of which aortic transection is the second leading cause of death. Pseudoaneurysm formation is seen in patients who survive the injury and arrive to the emergency department with small or partial-thickness tears of the aorta. In general, the proximal descending aorta is most commonly afflicted due to the relatively mobile aortic arch moving against the fixed descending aorta. There are several factors associated with a high risk of aortic injury including high-speed motor vehicle collision (MVC) accidents, unrestrained drivers and passengers, extensive impact/collision and abrupt deceleration of motor vehicles. In this case study, a 28-year-old male patient with a thoracic aorta injury is presented. Diagnostic findings consistent with transection and/or dissection and a review of his surgical management are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Saba University School of Medicine, Devens, MA 01434, USA asya.fish@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Asya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fish
authors.affiliation: Saba University School of Medicine, Devens, MA 01434, USA.
authors.forename: Farheen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA.
authors.forename: LeAnne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA.
authors.forename: Seong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA.
authors.forename: Chauniqua
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kiffin
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA.
authors.forename: Dafney
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lubin
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA.
authors.forename: Eddy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carrillo