McGwin et al identified a number of risk factors associated with blunt trauma to the thoracic aorta. These can help to identify a patient who should be assessed for thoracic injury. The authors are from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Parameters:
(1) age of the patient
(2) seat belt use
(3) location in car
(4) delta-velocity of the collision
(5) vehicle crush
(6) intrusion distance
(7) type of impact
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
age of the patient |
< 60 years of age |
0 |
|
|
>= 60 years of age |
1 |
|
seat belt use |
yes |
0 |
|
|
no |
1 |
|
location in car |
back seat |
0 |
|
|
front seat |
1 |
|
delta-velocity |
< 40 km per hour |
0 |
|
|
>= 40 km per hour |
1 |
|
vehicle crush |
< 40 cm |
0 |
|
|
>= 40 cm (extensive crush) |
1 |
|
intrusion distance |
< 15 cm |
0 |
|
|
>= 15 cm |
1 |
|
type of impact |
back or opposite side |
0 |
|
|
front or near side |
1 |
total number of risk factors =
= SUM(points for all 7 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum number of risk factors: 0
• maximum number of risk factors: 7
• The greater the number of risk factors the greater the likelihood of blunt trauma to the thoracic aorta.
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,
