Traumatic rupture of the aorta (TRA) and blunt aortic injury (BAI) are the leading causes of death in high-speed impact trauma.  Currently, federal standards for frontal and side automotive impact (FMVSS 208 and 214) do not contain measures that can easily predict TRA.  Current theories regarding the mechanisms of aortic injuries include stretch deformation and torsion of the aorta, traction of the superior vasculature, the hilum of the lungs acting as a fulcrum, acceleration and inertial effects, pressure effects, shock waves, "Voigt’s shoveling", and even the “osseous pinch.”  The practical results of these studies have been limited as most reflect gross approximations of a complex living biological system in response to general, external impact parameters. 

This is because precise aortic injury mechanisms and tolerance criteria are not known.  As yet, kinetic input and resultant aortic injury cannot be related to a simple cause and effect basis.  Therefore, a clear understanding of the relationship between the local response of the thoracic contents and injury outcome is required.  Important local response parameters include aortic tissue strain, shear strain, strain rate, and how they relate to tissue damage such as intimal tearing or false lumen formation.  Data reflecting tolerance of cardiac tissues and systems, and the local mechanical response of the aorta during impact are needed for an improved tool to assess aortic injury potential based on external loading conditions.  Such a tool will lead to more effective approaches to injury prevention, mitigation, diagnosis, and treatment.  One such tool is a locally validated finite element (FE) model of the human thorax, which once implemented would be used to investigate the injury mechanisms of real-world crashes.