Traumatic aortic valve injury sustained despite the deployment of an automobile air bag

Blunt chest trauma is a rare cause of aortic valve dysfunction. A case of the successful management of traumatic injury to the aortic valve is reported. The aortic valve injury was sustained in an automobile accident despite the use of a seat belt and the deployment of an air bag. The literature is briefly reviewed. Aortic valve injury remains a consideration in cases of automobile-associated chest trauma, even in automobiles equipped with seat belts and air bags.