Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Comprehensive Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta
Published on: September 8, 2023
Blunt Trauma of the Aorta, Current Guidelines
Marc D Trust1, Pedro G R Teixeira1
1Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, 1501 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Abstract:
Blunt thoracic aortic injury remains a major cause of prehospital deaths. For patients who reach the hospital alive, diagnosis and management have undergone dramatic changes over the last 50 years. Computed tomography scanning is the imaging modality of choice for injury diagnosis and repair planning. Medical management with antihypertensives dramatically decreases the risk of rupture, allowing for delayed repair, while abnormal physiology and more immediately life-threatening injuries can be addressed. Endovascular techniques and endograft technology have reduced significantly the risks associated with repair. However, the incidence of late complications associated with the devices currently available is not known.
Related Concept Videos
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
Aneurysm I: Introduction
The Aorta
The average diameter of the aorta is approximately 2-3 cm, but the size can vary depending on the section of the aorta and the individual's age, sex, and body size. The aorta is...
Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:

