title: Seat Belt Syndrome and Aortoiliac Lesion: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
abstract: Blunt vascular trauma represents 7-9% of the vascular lesions in civilians. There are few reports associating blunt trauma with aortoiliac lesion to the trauma associated with the use of seat belts. We report a case of aortic bifurcation disruption and bilateral iliac artery thrombosis directly related to seat belt use and not associated with pelvic fractures. Arterial revascularization was accomplished through an aortoiliac bypass with spiraled saphenous vein interposition graft and perfusion was restored to both limbs. However, the patient died 5 days after due to respiratory distress syndrome. A high index of suspicion and early diagnosis are essential for patient survival and limb salvage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery Santa Casa de Porto Alegre and Hospital Municipal de Pronto-socorro, Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre, Rua. Prof. Annes Dlas 285, Porto Alegre RioGrande do Sul, Brazil. newaerts@via-rs.net.
authors.forename: Newton R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Aerts
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lichtenfels
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Santa Casa de Porto Alegre and Hospital Municipal de Pronto-socorro, Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nilon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erling
keywords: Aortoiliac; Seat belt; Trauma