[Blunt injury of the aortic arch: report of two cases].

Abstract

Blunt injury of the aortic arch and its great vessels is rare. Although most of the cases die at the event side, those who can reach the hospital present with a clinic of pseudoaneurysm or arterial occlusion. The mainstay of diagnosis is to have a high suspicion index. As the physical examination findings are subtle, radiodiagnostic tools are helpful. Aortography is the most important investigation technique in suitable cases in order to plan surgery. Extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermia may successfully be used with known side effects. In this study, we report our recent experience with two cases of blunt injury of the arcus aorta.