Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Traditionally, blunt traumatic aortic rupture (BTAR) is thought to be a high-velocity injury. It was hypothesised that BTAR has a higher than suspected incidence in low-speed accidents, with unique kinematic and demographic risk factors. ⋯ Low-impact collisions account for two thirds of fatal aortic injuries. Age >60, lateral impacts and struck side seat position are predictive of LIBTAR. Low-impact cases were associated with minor (potentially subclinical) intimomedial injuries. Therefore, it is recommended that a higher index of suspicion of aortic injury is used in low-impact scenarios in the risk groups identified.