Thoracic Vascular and Great Vessel Hemorrhage: Big Red and Big Blue

Abstract

Thoracic vascular trauma represents a wide spectrum of challenging injuries. In the emergent setting, information and imaging data may be limited. Optimal treatment often requires expedient thought processes and decisions to determine the most appropriate exposure and control. Surgical control may require flexibility in the use of incision extensions and rapid transition to additional portions of the thorax or other body regions. Endovascular adjuncts, as either definitive treatment or as hybrid tools paired with open treatment modalities, have emerged as useful capabilities in the treatment of these injuries.