Table 3.

Indications for urgent surgical intervention in penetrating aortic injuries

Initial loss of 1,500ml of blood from a tube thoracotomy Continuing haemorrhage of >200ml/hr from tube thoracotomy Post-traumatic haemopericardium Pericardial tamponade Exsanguinating haemorrhage presenting from supraclavicular penetrating wound Imaging evidence of acute thoracic great vessel injury Radiographic or other imaging evidence of chronic thoracic great vessel injury complications