Blunt thoracic aortic injuries: initial evaluation and management.

In at least one large study, the average time from arrival at the emergency department to arrival in the operating room was nearly 6 hours. That 30% of survivors will die in the same amount of time underscores the need for rapid diagnosis and treatment. In blunt thoracic aortic injury, beta-blockers have been shown to reduce the incidence of rupture, and their use is rarely contraindicated. A working knowledge of the mechanisms of injury likely to produce this lesion, commonly associated injuries, clinically relevant and easily recognizable chest film findings, and appropriate use of beta-blockade can have a significant impact on mortality. Any physician responsible for evaluation of trauma patients should be familiar with this information.