RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Two teenagers, traumatic aortic disruption, and transoesophageal echocardiography.
JF Heart
JO Heart
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society
SP 310
OP 312
DO 10.1136/hrt.78.3.310
VO 78
IS 3
A1 A. Absalom
A1 A. Burns
A1 F. Wells
A1 D. Stone
YR 1997
UL http://heart.bmj.com/content/78/3/310.abstract
AB A report of two teenagers is presented who were passengers of the same vehicle when it was involved in a serious road traffic accident. Their vehicle was hit on the side at high speed by a second vehicle. Both teenagers sustained multiple injuries. On arrival at a district general hospital they required resuscitation, exploratory laparotomies, and postoperative intensive care. Neither had radiographic evidence to suggest any mediastinal injury, but transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated aortic disruption in both patients. They were transferred to a regional cardiothoracic centre where their lesions were successfully repaired and both have made a full recovery.