RT Journal A1 Plume S, DeWeese JA T1 TRaumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta JF Archives of Surgery JO Archives of Surgery YR 1979 FD March 1 VO 114 IS 3 SP 240 OP 243 DO 10.1001/archsurg.1979.01370270014002 UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1979.01370270014002 AB • Fifteen patients with blunt traumatic rupture of the aorta, secondary to automobile accidents, that occurred less than seven days prior to admission were treated between 1967 and 1976. The diagnosis was suspected on the basis of roentgenographic evidence of upper mediastinal widening. Aortography demonstrated a localized deformity and dilation of the aorta isthmus just distal to the subclavian artery in all but one patient whose lesion occurred in the mid-descending thoracic aorta. The salvage of one of five patients with free rupture by the prompt institution of total cardiopulmonary bypass has prompted us to begin each operation with the capability of using either left heart bypass or cardiopulmonary bypass. An associated rupture of the right atrium of one patient was successfully controlled. Nine of 12 patients survived the operation, eight were discharged from the hospital, and six were alive and well at least one year later.(Arch Surg 114:240-243, 1979)