Therapeutic cardiac arrest as an adjunct to resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta: Bridging the gap from fatal hemorrhage to definitive surgical control in swine

Tranexamic acid as an adjunct to resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta does not worsen outcomes in a porcine model of hemorrhage

Background

Non-compressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) represents a leading cause of preventable mortality in trauma. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) stabilizes NCTH but may predispose patients to thrombus generation. REBOA must therefore be prospectively evaluated for coagulation risks with concomitant usage of anti-fibrinolytic tranexamic acid (TXA). Using a porcine model of hemorrhage, it was hypothesized that TXA with REBOA would worsen coagulation outcomes and organ damage.

Materials and methods

Thirty-two male Yorkshire swine underwent 30% blood volume hemorrhage with randomization to vehicle control (VC; normal saline), VC+REBOA, TXA, or TXA+REBOA. At T0, animals received 10 mL/minute of group-specific infusion (GSI) followed at T10 by 500 mL of whole blood (WB), second GSI at 13 mL/hour, and Zone 1 REBOA inflation in REBOA groups. At T40, REBOA was deflated, with additional 500 mL WB, and continuation of GSI for 3 hours. Physiological, coagulation, and inflammatory parameters were measured throughout the protocol, with postmortem histopathology.

Results

After REBOA deflation at T40, lactate was significantly higher for the REBOA groups versus the non-REBOA groups, and pH, bicarbonate, and base excess were all significantly lower than the non-REBOA groups. There were no significant differences observed between groups in coagulation, inflammatory, metabolic, or histopathologic parameters.

Conclusions

Administration of TXA with REBOA did not cause more deleterious coagulation outcomes. All significant changes were expected results of REBOA ischemia, and not attributable to TXA treatment. This suggests NCTH can safely be treated with both hemorrhage control methods without exacerbating clotting outcomes.

Level of evidence

Not applicable-basic animal research.

Adenosine, lidocaine and Mg2+ update: teaching old drugs new tricks

If a trauma (or infection) exceeds the body's evolutionary design limits, a stress response is activated to quickly restore homeostasis. However, when the injury severity score is high, death is often imminent. The goal of this review is to provide an update on the effect of small-volume adenosine, lidocaine and Mg2+ (ALM) therapy on increasing survival and blunting secondary injury after non-compressible hemorrhagic shock and other trauma and infective/endotoxemic states. Two standout features of ALM therapy are: (1) resuscitation occurs at permissive hypotensive blood pressures (MAPs 50-60 mmHg), and (2) the drug confers neuroprotection at these low pressures. The therapy appears to reset the body's baroreflex to produce a high-flow, hypotensive, vasodilatory state with maintained tissue O2 delivery. Whole body ALM protection appears to be afforded by NO synthesis-dependent pathways and shifting central nervous system (CNS) control from sympathetic to parasympathetic dominance, resulting in improved cardiovascular function, reduced immune activation and inflammation, correction of coagulopathy, restoration of endothelial glycocalyx, and reduced energy demand and mitochondrial oxidative stress. Recently, independent studies have shown ALM may also be useful for stroke, muscle trauma, and as an adjunct to Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA). Ongoing studies have further shown ALM may have utility for burn polytrauma, damage control surgery and orthopedic surgery. Lastly, we discuss the clinical applications of ALM fluid therapy for prehospital and military far-forward use for non-compressible hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Adenosine, lidocaine, and magnesium for attenuating ischemia reperfusion injury from resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in a porcine model

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) following noncompressible hemorrhage results in significant ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). Adverse outcomes from IRI include organ dysfunction and can result in profound hemodynamic and molecular compromise. We hypothesized that adenosine, lidocaine, and magnesium (ALM) attenuates organ injury and inflammation responses following REBOA IRI in a porcine model of hemorrhage.

METHODS

Animals underwent a 20% controlled hemorrhage followed by 45 minutes of supraceliac balloon occlusion. They were randomized into two groups: control (n = 9) and ALM intervention (n = 9) to include a posthemorrhage, pre-REBOA bolus (200 mL of 3% NaCl ALM) followed by a continuous drip (2 mL/kg per hour of 0.9% NaCl ALM) during the 4-hour resuscitative period. Primary outcomes included hemodynamic parameters, gene expression of inflammatory signaling molecules, and plasma concentrations of select cytokines and chemokines.

RESULTS

The ALM cohort demonstrated a significant reduction in cardiac output and cardiac index. Plasma concentrations of interleukin 2 and interleukin 10 were significantly lower 3 hours post-REBOA in animals treated with ALM versus vehicle. Interleukin 4 levels in plasma were also lower with ALM at 3 and 4 hours post-REBOA (p < 0.05). Liver expression of IL1RN, MTOR, and LAMP3 messenger RNA was significantly lower with ALM as compared with the vehicle. No significant difference in large bowel gene expression was observed between treatments.

CONCLUSION

In a porcine model of hemorrhage, ALM treatment mitigated inflammatory responses early during post-REBOA resuscitation. Our findings suggest that ALM use with trauma may reduce inflammatory injury and improve outcomes related to REBOA utilization.

Penetrating cardiac injury repaired under "intentional cardiac arrest" with adenosine triphosphate

Background

Repairing a cardiac injury with beating heart is sometimes difficult and is associated with increased risks of complications. Here we report a case of cardiac injury repaired with administration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Case Presentation

A 46‐year‐old man was stabbed in his chest with a knife and transferred to our hospital. He was hemodynamically unstable, and echocardiography showed pericardial effusion. Emergency thoracotomy revealed a full‐thickness injury in the right ventricle next to the coronary artery. He went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated with adrenaline administration. We tried to suture immediately, but it was difficult because of tachycardia. After administering 20 mg of ATP (80 mg in total over 15 min), bradycardia was induced that led to “intentional cardiac arrest” after which suturing was performed. He was discharged on the 13th day without complications.

Conclusion

Cases of penetrating cardiac injury repaired using ATP are rare. Administration of ATP may be a useful option while repairing cardiac injuries.