Aortic Trauma

This chapter will review all aortic trauma as a single entity, but it is important to recognize that in practice, management of thoracic versus abdominal aortic trauma often hinges on different approaches and management techniques based on mechanism and injury pattern. Furthermore, of utmost importance is the understanding that no organ system can be considered in a vacuum in the multi-injury trauma patient and that successful management hinges upon interdisciplinary clinical decision-making and excellent communication with comprehensive input from all specialties participating in the care of the patient.