Aortic Hemostasis and Resuscitation: Preliminary Experiments Using Selective Aortic Arch Perfusion With Oxygenated Blood and Intra-aortic Calcium Coadministration in a Model of Hemorrhage-induced Traumatic Cardiac Arrest

Approach to traumatic cardiac arrest in the emergency department: a narrative literature review for emergency providers

BACKGROUND

Traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity in all age groups and poses a significant burden on the healthcare system. Although there have been advances in treatment modalities, survival rates for TCA patients remain low. This narrative literature review critically examines the indications and effectiveness of current therapeutic approaches in treating TCA.

METHODS

We performed a literature search in the PubMed and Scopus databases for studies published before December 31, 2022. The search was refined by combining search terms, examining relevant study references, and restricting publications to the English language. Following the search, 943 articles were retrieved, and two independent reviewers conducted a screening process.

RESULTS

A review of various studies on pre- and intra-arrest prognostic factors showed that survival rates were higher when patients had an initial shockable rhythm. There were conflicting results regarding other prognostic factors, such as witnessed arrest, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of prehospital or in-hospital epinephrine. Emergency thoracotomy was found to result in more favorable outcomes in cases of penetrating trauma than in those with blunt trauma. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) provides an advantage to emergency thoracotomy in terms of occupational safety for the operator as an alternative in managing hemorrhagic shock. When implemented in the setting of aortic occlusion, emergency thoracotomy and REBOA resulted in comparable mortality rates. Veno-venous extracorporeal life support (V-V ECLS) and veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (V-A ECLS) are viable options for treating respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock, respectively. In the context of traumatic injuries, V-V ECLS has been associated with higher rates of survival to discharge than V-A ECLS.

CONCLUSION

TCA remains a significant challenge for emergency medical services due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. Pre- and intra-arrest prognostic factors can help identify patients who are likely to benefit from aggressive and resource-intensive resuscitation measures. Further research is needed to enhance guidelines for the clinical use of established and emerging therapeutic approaches that can help optimize treatment efficacy and ameliorate survival outcomes.

Biochemical disturbance in damage control resuscitation: mechanisms, management and prognostic utility

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With advances in resuscitative techniques, trauma patients are surviving increasingly severe injuries and physiological insult. Timely recognition of futility remains important in terms of patient dignity and resource preservation yet is increasingly challenging in the face of these advances. The understanding of biochemical derangement from pathophysiological processes of trauma and iatrogenic effects of resuscitation has expanded recently.

RECENT FINDINGS

Acidosis and hypocalcaemia have been recognized as important contributors to mortality among trauma patients. Although less well recognized and studied, critical injury and high blood product volume resuscitation render patients vulnerable to life-threatening hyperkalaemia. The methods of correcting disruptions to acid-base and electrolyte homeostasis during damage control resuscitation have changed little recently and often rely on evidence from undifferentiated populations. Biochemical disturbances have value as ancillary predictors of futility in trauma resuscitation.

SUMMARY

These findings will contribute to a greater understanding among anaesthesiologists of the causative mechanisms and effects of biochemical derangement after severe injury and aid them in the delivery of well tolerated and effective damage control resuscitation. Gaps in the evidence base are highlighted to encourage future work.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Rescue Therapies

The history of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the Society of Critical Care Medicine have much in common, as many of the founders of the Society of Critical Care Medicine focused on understanding and improving outcomes from cardiac arrest. We review the history, the current, and future state of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

State-of-the-art methods for the treatment of severe hemorrhagic trauma: selective aortic arch perfusion and emergency preservation and resuscitation-what is next?

Trauma is a primary cause of death globally, with non‐compressible torso hemorrhage constituting an important part of “potentially survivable trauma death.” Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta has become a popular alternative to aortic cross‐clamping under emergent thoracotomy for non‐compressible torso hemorrhage in recent years, however, it alone does not improve the survival rate of patients with severe shock or traumatic cardiac arrest from non‐compressible torso hemorrhage. Development of novel advanced maneuvers is essential to improve these patients’ survival, and research on promising methods such as selective aortic arch perfusion and emergency preservation and resuscitation is ongoing. This review aimed to provide physicians in charge of severe trauma cases with a broad understanding of these novel therapeutic approaches to manage patients with severe hemorrhagic trauma, which may allow them to develop lifesaving strategies for exsanguinating trauma patients. Although there are still hurdles to overcome before their clinical application, promising research on these novel strategies is in progress, and ongoing development of synthetic red blood cells and techniques that reduce ischemia‐reperfusion injury may further maximize their effects. Both continuous proof‐of‐concept studies and translational clinical evaluations are necessary to clinically apply these hemostasis approaches to trauma patients.

State-of-the-Art Review-Endovascular Resuscitation

ABSTRACT

The emerging concept of endovascular resuscitation applies catheter-based techniques in the management of patients in shock to manipulate physiology, optimize hemodynamics, and bridge to definitive care. These interventions hope to address an unmet need in the care of severely injured patients, or those with refractory non-traumatic cardiac arrest, who were previously deemed non-survivable. These evolving techniques include Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of Aorta, Selective Aortic Arch Perfusion, and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and there is a growing literature base behind them. This review presents the up-to-date techniques and interventions, along with their application, evidence base, and controversy within the new era of endovascular resuscitation.

Emerging hemorrhage control and resuscitation strategies in trauma: Endovascular to extracorporeal

This article reviews four emerging endovascular hemorrhage control and extracorporeal perfusion techniques for management of trauma patients with profound hemorrhagic shock including hemorrhage-induced traumatic cardiac arrest: resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta, selective aortic arch perfusion, extracorporeal life support, and emergency preservation and resuscitation. The preclinical and clinical studies underpinning each of these techniques are summarized. We also present an integrated conceptual framework for how these emerging technologies may be used in the future care of trauma patients in both resource-rich and austere environments.

Selective aortic arch perfusion with fresh whole blood or HBOC-201 reverses hemorrhage-induced traumatic cardiac arrest in a lethal model of noncompressible torso hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage-induced traumatic cardiac arrest (HiTCA) has a dismal survival rate. Previous studies demonstrated selective aortic arch perfusion (SAAP) with fresh whole blood (FWB) improved the rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after HiTCA, compared with resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers, such as hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC)-201, may alleviate the logistical constraints of using FWB in a prehospital setting. It is unknown whether SAAP with HBOC-201 is equivalent in efficacy to FWB, whether conversion from SAAP to extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is feasible, and whether physiologic derangement post-SAAP therapy is reversible.

METHODS

Twenty-six swine (79 ± 4 kg) were anesthetized and underwent HiTCA which was induced via liver injury and controlled hemorrhage. Following arrest, swine were randomly allocated to resuscitation using SAAP with FWB (n = 12) or HBOC-201 (n = 14). After SAAP was initiated, animals were monitored for a 20-minute prehospital period prior to a 40-minute damage control surgery and resuscitation phase, followed by 260 minutes of critical care. Primary outcomes included rate of ROSC, survival, conversion to ECLS, and correction of physiology.

RESULTS

Baseline physiologic measurements were similar between groups. ROSC was achieved in 100% of the FWB animals and 86% of the HBOC-201 animals (p = 0.483). Survival (t = 320 minutes) was 92% (11/12) in the FWB group and 67% (8/12) in the HBOC-201 group (p = 0.120). Conversion to ECLS was successful in 100% of both groups. Lactate peaked at 80 minutes in both groups, and significantly improved by the end of the experiment in the HBOC-201 group (p = 0.001) but not in the FWB group (p = 0.104). There was no significant difference in peak or end lactate between groups.

CONCLUSION

Selective aortic arch perfusion is effective in eliciting ROSC after HiTCA in a swine model, using either FWB or HBOC-201. Transition from SAAP to ECLS after definitive hemorrhage control is feasible, resulting in high overall survival and improvement in lactic acidosis over the study period.

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta: promise, practice, and progress?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a minimally invasive damage control procedure for life-threatening abdominal or pelvic haemorrhage. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current understanding and experience with REBOA, outline potential future applications of this technology, and highlight priority areas for further research.

RECENT FINDINGS

REBOA is a feasible method of achieving temporary aortic occlusion and can be performed rapidly, with a high degree of success, in the emergency setting (including at the scene of injury) by appropriately trained clinicians. The procedure supports central perfusion, controls noncompressible haemorrhage, and may improve survival in certain profoundly shocked patient groups; but is also associated with significant risks, including ischaemic tissue damage and procedural complications. Evolutions of this strategy are being explored, with promising proof-of-concept studies in the fields of partial aortic occlusion and the combination of REBOA with extracorporeal support.

SUMMARY

Noncompressible torso haemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable trauma deaths. The majority of these deaths occur soon after injury, often before any opportunity for definitive haemorrhage control. For a meaningful reduction in trauma mortality, novel methods of rapid haemorrhage control are required.

The pitfalls of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta: Risk factors and mitigation strategies

Despite technological advancements, REBOA is associated with significant risks due to complications of vascular access and ischemia-reperfusion. The inherent morbidity and mortality of REBOA is often compounded by coexisting injury and hemorrhagic shock. Additionally, the potential for REBOA-related injuries is exaggerated due to the growing number of interventions being performed by providers who have limited experience in endovascular techniques, inadequate resources, minimal training in the technique, and who are performing this maneuver in emergency situations. In an effort to ultimately improve outcomes with REBOA, we sought to compile a list of complications that may be encountered during REBOA usage. To address the current knowledge gap, we assembled a list of anecdotal complications from high-volume REBOA users internationally. More importantly, through a consensus model, we identify contributory factors that may lead to complications and deliberate on how to recognize, mitigate, and manage such events. An understanding of the pitfalls of REBOA and strategies to mitigate their occurrence is of vital importance to optimize patient outcomes.

Emerging Endovascular Therapies for Non-Compressible Torso Hemorrhage

Management of non-compressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) remains a challenge despite continued advancements in trauma resuscitation. Resuscitative thoracotomy with aortic cross-clamping and recent advances in endovascular aortic occlusion, including resuscitative endovascular occlusion of the aorta, have finite durations of therapy due to the inherent physiologic stressors that accompany complete occlusion. Here, we attempt to illuminate the current state of aortic occlusion for trauma resuscitation including explanation of the deleterious consequences of complete occlusion, potential methods and limitations of existing technology to overcome these consequences, and a description of innovative methods to improve the resuscitation of NCTH. By explaining the complexity and potential deleterious effects of resuscitation augmented with aortic occlusion, our goal is to provide practitioners with a real-world perspective on current endovascular technology and to encourage the continued innovation required to overcome existing obstacles.