The Colombian Experience in Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA): The Progression From a Large Caliber to a Low-Profile Device at a Level I Trauma Center

PURPOSE

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is now performed in many trauma centers, it is used at more than 250 hospitals in the United States and there is an increase rate of publications with the experience in these centers, but there is a gap of knowledge regarding the use of REBOA in Latin-America. This paper endeavors to describe the utilization of REBOA at a high level Latin-American Trauma Center and the transition from a large caliber to a low-profile device with the concomitant reduction in the groin access complications.

METHODS

A prospective, observational, single-center study was conducted. We included all trauma patients who underwent REBOA. We recorded data from admission parameters, complications, and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were included. Most of the REBOA catheters were inserted in the operating room [47 (94%)], and the arterial access was done by surgical cutdown [40 (80%)]. All the complications were associated with the catheter of 11 Fr Sheath used in 36 patients [n = 8/36 (22%) vs. n = 0/14 (0%); P = 0.05].

CONCLUSION

REBOA can be used safely in blunt or penetrating thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic trauma. The insertion of a 7 Fr Sheath was associated with lower complications, so its use should be preferred over larger calibers.

Resuscitative endovascular balloon of the aorta is feasible in penetrating chest trauma with major hemorrhage: Proposal of a new institutional deployment algorithm

BACKGROUND

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is an emerging option for hemorrhage control, but its use is limited in scenarios such as penetrating chest trauma. The aim of this study was to describe the use of REBOA as a resuscitative adjunct in these cases with major hemorrhage and to propose a new clinical management algorithm.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational study conducted at a single Level I trauma center in Colombia. We included all patients older than 14 years with severe trauma who underwent REBOA from January 2015 to December 2019. Patients received REBOA if they were in hemorrhagic shock and were unresponsive to resuscitation.

RESULTS

A total of 56 patients underwent REBOA placement of which 37 had penetrating trauma and 23 had chest trauma. All patients were hemodynamically unstable upon arrival to the emergency department, with a median systolic blood pressure of 69 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR], 57-90 mm Hg) and median Injury Severity Score was 25 (IQR, 25-41). All REBOAs were deployed and inflated in zone 1, median inflation time was 40 minutes (IQR, 26-55 minutes), and no adverse neurologic outcomes were observed. Fifteen patients had REBOA and a median sternotomy. Eleven patients had concomitant abdominal wounds. Overall mortality was 28.6%, and there was no significant difference between penetrating versus blunt trauma patients (21.6% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.11). The survival rate of thoracic injured patients was similar to the predicted survival (65.2% vs. 63.3%).

CONCLUSION

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta can be used safely in penetrating chest trauma, and the implementation of a REBOA management algorithm is feasible with a well-trained multidisciplinary team.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, level V.