Biomechanics of aortic rupture at classical location in traffic accidents

Twenty-six aortic ruptures were found in 107 autopsies of vehicular trauma victims. There were 21 ruptures discovered at the classical location. In 14 accidents aortic rupture occurred in car passengers, in 4 cases in pedestrians and in 2 cases in cyclists. The aortic rupture was always caused by a severe accident, marked by high speed collision, considerable degree of automobile destruction and severe associated injuries. Aortic rupture could be correlated to a severe compression trauma in all cases. In 14 victims the impact force ran from right ventro-caudal to left dorso-cranial. In 2 victims the impact ran from left ventro-cranial to right dorso-caudal and in one pedestrian from right ventro-cranial to left dorso-caudal. The theories proposed for explaining aortic rupture at the classical location are examined on the basis of the material presented. The importance of forces acting in a right ventro-caudal to left ventro-cranial direction in causing rupture is stressed.