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Aortic Trauma Foundation

The Aortic Trauma Foundation (ATF) is a non-profit professional medical society, composed primarily of vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, trauma surgeons and radiology physicians, dedicated to providing educational resources to aid in the early detection, treatment, and survival after Traumatic Aortic Injuries.

Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) registry March 2024 update

The Aortic Trauma Foundation (ATF), in collaboration with the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST), has established a centralized, online data reporting platform for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injuries (BTAI). Click below to learn more about the March 2024 update.

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SVS classification of BTAI

Using imaging, BTAI is classified into four categories based on the severity of the injury:

1. Grade 1 - Intimal tear

2. Grade 2 - Intramural hematoma

3. Grade 3 - Aortic Pseudoaneurysm

4. Grade 4 - Free rupture

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Aortic Injuries and Blunt trauma

According to CDC, trauma is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States for people aged 1-44 years old.

The majority of serious traumatic injuries are due to blunt trauma from motor vehicle crashes and pedestrian injuries. Falls are an important cause, particularly in the elderly. Direct blows, assaults, and sporting injuries are also common mechanisms of blunt trauma.

Each year, 1.35 million people are killed on roadways around the world. Every day, almost 3,700 people are killed globally in crashes involving cars, buses, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks or pedestrians.

Aortic Trauma is the second most common cause of death following blunt trauma.

The majority of blunt trauma patients who sustain a major aortic injury die immediately. Of those who reach the hospital alive, the majority either die during initial management or are unable to undergo aortic repair due to their injuries.

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