Feasibility of investigating the mechanisms of aortic trauma using high-speed cineradiography. A pilot study. Final report, 15 May--31 August 1977

A pilot study was performed to evaluate use of the HSRI high-speed cineradiographic system for study of aortic trauma mechanisms. The thoraxes of anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits were impacted by a dropped accelerometer-instrumented, 1.5 kg mass from a height of 2.44 meters. Velocity and force data were obtained from the instrumented impacting mass. High-speed cineradiographs at approximately 1000 frames per second showed thoracic skeletal deformation and heart, diaphragm, and liver displacements. No radiopaque contrast medium was used in this preliminary investigation. Post-impact autopsy revealed rib fracture, localized hemorrhaging, and aortic transection. On the basis of film obtained, this method has potential for the study of internal organ injury mechanisms