Aortic injuries in newer vehicles

•Risk of aortic injury was determined in relation to vehicle model year among frontal and near-side crashes in the NASS-CDS cohort.•Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis adjusting for confounders were performed.•In comparison with occupants of earlier model year vehicles, those in later model year vehicles experienced increased adjusted odds of aortic injury in frontal crashes.•In comparison with occupants of earlier model year vehicles, those in later model year vehicles experienced decreased adjusted odds of aortic injury in near-side impact crashes. The occurrence of AI was studied in relation to vehicle model year (MY) among front seat vehicular occupants, age≥16 in vehicles MY≥1994, entered in the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System between 1997 and 2010 to determine whether newer vehicles, due to their crashworthiness improvements, are linked to a lower risk of aortic injuries (AI). MY was categorized as 1994–1997, 1998–2004, or 2005–2010 reflecting the introduction of newer occupant protection technology. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals for the association between AI and MY independent of possible confounders. Analysis was repeated, stratified by frontal and near lateral impacts. AI occurred in 19,187 (0.06%) of the 31,221,007 (weighted) cases, and contributed to 11% of all deaths. AIs were associated with advanced age, male gender, high BMI, near-side impact, rollover, ejection, collision against a fixed object, high ΔV, vehicle mismatch, unrestrained status, and forward track position. Among frontal crashes, MY 98–04 and MY 05–10 showed increased adjusted odds of AI when compared to MY 94–97 [OR 1.84 (1.02–3.32) and 1.99 (0.93–4.26), respectively]. In contrast, among near-side impact crashes, MY 98–04 and MY 05–10 showed decreased adjusted odds of AI [OR 0.50 (0.25–0.99) and 0.27 (0.06–1.31), respectively]. While occupants of newer vehicles experience lower odds of AI in near side impact crashes, a higher AI risk is present in frontal crashes.