Prehospital REBOA: Time to clearly define the relevant indications

Consensus on resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in civilian (prehospital) trauma care: A Delphi study

BACKGROUND

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) could prevent lethal exsanguination and support cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In prehospital trauma and medical emergency settings, a small population with high mortality rates could potentially benefit from early REBOA deployment. However, its use in these situations remains highly disputed. Since publication of the first Delphi study on REBOA, in which consensus was not reached on all addressed topics, new literature has emerged. The aim of this study was to establish consensus on the use and implementation of REBOA in civilian prehospital settings for noncompressible truncal hemorrhage and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest as well as for various in-hospital settings.

METHODS

A Delphi study consisting of three rounds of questionnaires was conducted based on a review of recent literature. REBOA experts with different medical specialties, backgrounds, and work environments were invited for the international panel. Consensus was reached when a minimum of 75% of panelists responded to a question and at least 75% (positive) or less than 25% (negative) of these respondents agreed on the questioned subject.

RESULTS

Panel members reached consensus on potential (contra)indications, physiological thresholds for patient selection, the use of ultrasound and practical, and technical aspects for early femoral artery access and prehospital REBOA.

CONCLUSION

The international expert panel agreed that REBOA can be used in civilian prehospital settings for temporary control of noncompressible truncal hemorrhage, provided that personnel are properly trained and protocols are established. For prehospital REBOA and early femoral artery access, consensus was reached on (contra)indications, physiological thresholds and practical aspects. The panel recommends the initiation of a randomized clinical trial investigating the use of prehospital REBOA for noncompressible truncal hemorrhage.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level V.

Do we need pre-hospital resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in the civilian helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS)?

Pre-hospital resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) can be a life-saving procedure for patients with non-compressible torso hemorrhage. We aimed to evaluate the potential eligibility for REBOA in trauma patients of a civilian helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) using a stepwise approach. A retrospective analysis using the electronic database (HEMSDER) of "DRF Luftrettung" HEMS covering the period from January 2015 to June 2021 was performed. Trauma patients aged ≥ 16 years and with a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) score of ≥ 4 were assessed for potential REBOA eligibility using two different decision trees based on assumed severe bleeding due to injuries of the abdomen, pelvis, and/or lower extremities and different vital signs on the scene and at hospital handover. Non-parametric statistical methods were used for comparison. A total of 22.426 patients met the inclusion criteria for data analysis. Of these, 0.15-2.24% were possible candidates for pre-hospital REBOA. No significant differences between groups on scene and at hospital handover regarding demographics, assumed injuries, and pre-hospital interventions were found. In the on-scene group, 21.1% of the patients remained unstable even at hospital handover despite pre-hospital care. In the handover group, 42.8% of the patients seemed initially stable but then deteriorated during the pre-hospital course. The number of potential pre-hospital REBOA in severely injured patients with a NACA score of ≥ 4 is < 3% or can be even < 1% if more strict criteria are used. There are some patients who may benefit from pre-hospital REBOA as a life-saving procedure. Further research on earlier diagnosis of life-threatening bleeding and proper indications of REBOA in trauma patients is needed.

Evaluating the Tactical Combat Casualty Care principles in civilian and military settings: systematic review, knowledge gap analysis and recommendations for future research

OBJECTIVES

The Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines detail resuscitation practices in prehospital and austere environments. We sought to review the content and quality of the current TCCC and civilian prehospital literature and characterize knowledge gaps to offer recommendations for future research.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for studies assessing intervention techniques and devices used in civilian and military prehospital settings that could be applied to TCCC guidelines. Screening and data extraction were performed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Quality appraisal was conducted using appropriate tools.

RESULTS

Ninety-two percent (n=57) of studies were observational. Most randomized trials had low risk of bias, whereas observational studies had higher risk of bias. Interventions of massive hemorrhage control (n=17) were wound dressings and tourniquets, suggesting effective hemodynamic control. Airway management interventions (n=7) had high success rates with improved outcomes. Interventions of respiratory management (n=12) reported low success with needle decompression. Studies assessing circulation (n=18) had higher quality of evidence and suggested improved outcomes with component hemostatic therapy. Hypothermia prevention interventions (n=2) were generally effective. Other studies identified assessed the use of extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (n=3) and mixed interventions (n=2).

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence was largely non-randomized with heterogeneous populations, interventions, and outcomes, precluding robust conclusions in most subjects addressed in the review. Knowledge gaps identified included the use of blood products and concentrate of clotting factors in the prehospital setting.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Systematic review, level III.

Ultrasound-guided versus blind vascular access followed by REBOA on board of a medical helicopter in a hemorrhagic ovine model

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of en-route resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) on board of a helicopter.

METHODS

Six sedated male sheep (weighing 42-54 kg) underwent a controlled hemorrhage until the systolic blood pressure (BP) dropped to <90 mmHg, and were placed into a low capacity Eurocopter AS-350 (France). During the 30-minutes normal flight, every animal underwent blind (left side) and ultrasound-guided (US) (right side) vascular access (VA) to the femoral artery followed by REBOA: the first catheter (Rescue balloon, Japan) - into Zone I, the second one (MIT, Russia) - Zone III. In case of blind VA failure, an alternate US-puncture was attempted. Six experienced flight anesthetists were enrolled into the study. Vascular access and REBOA catheter placement (confirmed by X-Ray later) success rate and timing were recorded.

RESULTS

Among six blind punctures one was successful, 2/6 - were into the vein, 3/6 - completely failed and switched to US-punctures (making total number of US-punctures nine). Eight out of nine US-punctures were successful. However, correct wire insertion and sheath placement was performed in 1/6 animal in the 'blind' group and only in 6/9 animals in the 'US' group. It took a median of 65 seconds (range 5-260) for US-puncture and a median of 4 minutes to get the sheath in. Among the 9 VAs, there were 2 REBOA failures (1 ruptured balloon [MIT] and 1 mistaken vena cava placement primarily recognized by a sudden drop of BP and later confirmed by X-Ray). Five out of seven balloons were placed in a desired intra-aortic position: 4/5 in Zone I and 1/2 - in Zone III. A median time for a successful REBOA procedure was 5.0 (range 2.5-10.0) minutes (1 min after sheath placement).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates the potential feasibility of the en-route REBOA which can be performed within 5 minutes. Ultrasound-guidance is critically important to achieve en-route VA.

Leaning forward: Early arterial access promotes resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta utilization in battlefield casualties

Uncontrolled noncompressible torso hemorrhage remains a leading cause of potentially preventable death on the battlefield. The utilization of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) has gained considerable traction in civilian and military trauma care. Establishment of arterial access remains the rate-limiting step in endovascular aortic occlusion. The decision to place arterial access, including size, location, and the appropriate clinician and scenario all must be considered to achieve the optimal patient outcome. This report is submitted by the Joint Medical Augmentation Unit, an elite surgical/resuscitation team that provides medical care in the most far-forward, austere environments in the special operations community. The authors highlight two cases where early arterial access, REBOA utilization, and massive blood transfusion with damage-control surgery were associated with patient survival. We also address the prehospital application of REBOA in battlefield trauma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Special Report, Level V.