The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care · 1989 · 120 citations · 0 references
MedicineEmergency MedicineGeriatric MedicineCardiothoracic SurgeryResuscitationTrauma Critical CareCardiopulmonary ResuscitationChest Trauma ManagementGeriatric EmergenciesGeriatric TraumaThoracic SurgeryThoracic TraumaAcute MorbidityBlunt Chest TraumaBlunt Thoracic InjuryBlunt Thoracic TraumaCardiac TraumaCardiopulmonary ArrestChest Trauma ResuscitationMortality Rates
Significant differences were identified between a group of elderly patients (65 years and older) and a nonelderly group both with blunt thoracic trauma. There was a lower incidence of elderly patients presenting in shock; however, cardiopulmonary arrest at arrival was more frequent in this group. Although the types of complications were similar in both populations, the morbidity and mortality rates were higher in the elderly. A high index of suspicion must be generated for an elderly patient who has sustained blunt chest trauma. An aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach may lead to a decrease in the high morbidity and mortality rates in the elderly.