A case of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta associated with hypothermia

This communication reports a case of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta. The literature on this subject is reviewed, the problem of diagnosis is discussed, and the importance of acute hypertension as a diagnostic sign is stressed. In view of the fact that the hypertension in the case reported here occurred in the presence of good femoral pulses and persisted after operation, the cause of the hypertension may not be simply an acute coarctation syndrome but may be due to damage to the cardiac plexuses around the site of rupture. It also emphasizes the importance of not rewarming severely traumatized hypothermic patients until facilities are available to replace blood-loss.