Thoracic aortic clamping for prophylaxis against sudden cardiac arrest during laparotomy for acute massive hemoperitoneum

Emergency Department Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in Trauma Patients With Exsanguinating Hemorrhage: The UK-REBOA Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Bleeding is the most common cause of preventable death after trauma.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) when used in the emergency department along with standard care vs standard care alone on mortality in trauma patients with exsanguinating hemorrhage.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Pragmatic, bayesian, randomized clinical trial conducted at 16 major trauma centers in the UK. Patients aged 16 years or older with exsanguinating hemorrhage were enrolled between October 2017 and March 2022 and followed up for 90 days.

Intervention

Patients were randomly assigned (1:1 allocation) to a strategy that included REBOA and standard care (n = 46) or standard care alone (n = 44).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 90 days. Ten secondary outcomes included mortality at 6 months, while in the hospital, and within 24 hours, 6 hours, or 3 hours; the need for definitive hemorrhage control procedures; time to commencement of definitive hemorrhage control procedures; complications; length of stay; blood product use; and cause of death.

Results

Of the 90 patients (median age, 41 years [IQR, 31-59 years]; 62 [69%] were male; and the median Injury Severity Score was 41 [IQR, 29-50]) randomized, 89 were included in the primary outcome analysis because 1 patient in the standard care alone group declined to provide consent for continued participation and data collection 4 days after enrollment. At 90 days, 25 of 46 patients (54%) had experienced all-cause mortality in the REBOA and standard care group vs 18 of 43 patients (42%) in the standard care alone group (odds ratio [OR], 1.58 [95% credible interval, 0.72-3.52]; posterior probability of an OR >1 [indicating increased odds of death with REBOA], 86.9%). Among the 10 secondary outcomes, the ORs for mortality and the posterior probabilities of an OR greater than 1 for 6-month, in-hospital, and 24-, 6-, or 3-hour mortality were all increased in the REBOA and standard care group, and the ORs were increased with earlier mortality end points. There were more deaths due to bleeding in the REBOA and standard care group (8 of 25 patients [32%]) than in standard care alone group (3 of 18 patients [17%]), and most occurred within 24 hours.

Conclusions and Relevance

In trauma patients with exsanguinating hemorrhage, a strategy of REBOA and standard care in the emergency department does not reduce, and may increase, mortality compared with standard care alone.

Trial Registration

isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN16184981.

The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) for trauma patients with uncontrolled torso haemorrhage: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial (the UK-REBOA trial)

BACKGROUND

Haemorrhage is the most common cause of preventable death after injury. REBOA is a novel technique whereby a percutaneously inserted balloon is deployed in the aorta, providing a relatively quick means of temporarily controlling haemorrhage and augmenting cerebral and coronary perfusion, until definitive control of haemorrhage can be attained. The aim of the UK-REBOA trial is to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a policy of standard major trauma centre treatment plus REBOA, as compared with standard major trauma centre treatment alone, for the management of uncontrolled torso haemorrhage caused by injury.

METHODS

Pragmatic, Bayesian, group-sequential, randomised controlled trial, performed in 16 major trauma centres in England. We aim to randomise 120 injured patients with suspected exsanguinating haemorrhage to either standard major trauma centre care plus REBOA or standard major trauma centre care alone. The primary clinical outcome is 90-day mortality. Secondary clinical outcomes include 3-h, 6-h, and 24-h mortality; in-hospital mortality; 6-month mortality; length of stay (in hospital and intensive care unit); 24-h blood product use; need for haemorrhage control procedure (operation or angioembolisation); and time to commencement of haemorrhage control procedure (REBOA, operation, or angioembolisation). The primary economic outcome is lifetime incremental cost per QALY gained, from a health and personal social services perspective.

DISCUSSION

This study, which is the first to randomly allocate patients to treatment with REBOA or standard care, will contribute high-level evidence on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of REBOA in the management of trauma patients with exsanguinating haemorrhage and will provide important data on the feasibility of implementation of REBOA into mainstream clinical practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN16184981.

Distal organ inflammation and injury after resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in a porcine model of severe hemorrhagic shock

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of Aorta (REBOA) has emerged as a potential life-saving maneuver for the management of non-compressible torso hemorrhage in trauma patients. Complete REBOA (cREBOA) is inherently associated with the burden of ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) and organ dysfunction. However, the distal organ inflammation and its association with organ injury have been little investigated. This study was conducted to assess these adverse effects of cREBOA following massive hemorrhage in swine.

METHODS

Spontaneously breathing and consciously sedated Sinclair pigs were subjected to exponential hemorrhage of 65% total blood volume over 60 minutes. Animals were randomized into 3 groups (n = 7): (1) Positive control (PC) received immediate transfusion of shed blood after hemorrhage, (2) 30min-cREBOA (A30) received Zone 1 cREBOA for 30 minutes, and (3) 60min-cREBOA (A60) given Zone 1 cREBOA for 60 minutes. The A30 and A60 groups were followed by resuscitation with shed blood post-cREBOA and observed for 4h. Metabolic and hemodynamic effects, coagulation parameters, inflammatory and end organ consequences were monitored and assessed.

RESULTS

Compared with 30min-cREBOA, 60min-cREBOA resulted in (1) increased IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in distal organs (kidney, jejunum, and liver) (p < 0.05) and decreased reduced glutathione in kidney and liver (p < 0.05), (2) leukopenia, neutropenia, and coagulopathy (p < 0.05), (3) blood pressure decline (p < 0.05), (4) metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia (p < 0.05), and (5) histological injury of kidney and jejunum (p < 0.05) as well as higher levels of creatinine, AST, and ALT (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

30min-cREBOA seems to be a feasible and effective adjunct in supporting central perfusion during severe hemorrhage. However, prolonged cREBOA (60min) adverse effects such as distal organ inflammation and injury must be taken into serious consideration.

Open chest cardiac massage offers no benefit over closed chest compressions in patients with traumatic cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND

Open chest cardiac massage (OCCM) is a commonly performed procedure after traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA). OCCM has been reported to be superior to closed chest compressions (CCC) in animal models and in non-TCA. The purpose of this study is to prospectively compare OCCM versus CCC in TCA using end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), the criterion standard for determining the effectiveness of chest compressions and detection of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), as the surrogate for cardiac output and marker for adequacy of resuscitation.

METHODS

This prospective observational study enrolled patients over a 9-month period directly presenting to a level 1 trauma center after TCA. Continuous high-resolution ETCO2 measurements were collected every 6 seconds for periods of CCC and OCCM, respectively. Patients receiving CCC only were compared with patients receiving CCC followed by OCCM. Student's t tests were used to compare ETCO2 within and between groups.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients were enrolled (16 OCCM, 17 CCC-only). Mean time of CCC before OCCM was 66 seconds. Within the OCCM group, final, peak, mean, and median ETCO2 levels significantly increased when comparing the initial CCC period to the OCCM interval. Using a time-matched comparison, significant increases were observed in the final and peak but not mean and median values when comparing the first minute of CCC to the remaining time in the CCC-only group. However, when periods of OCCM were compared with equivalent periods of CCC-only, there were no differences in the initial, final, peak, mean, or median ETCO2 values. Correspondingly, no difference in rates of ROSC was observed between groups (OCCM 23.5% vs. CCC 38.9%; p = 0.53).

CONCLUSION

Although we could not control for confounders, we found no significant improvement in ETCO2 or ROSC with OCCM. With newer endovascular techniques for aortic occlusion, thoracotomy solely for performing OCCM provides no benefit over CCC.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level III.

Outcomes of abdominal trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock requiring emergency laparotomy: efficacy of intra-aortic balloon occlusion

Aim

The aims of this study were to investigate outcomes of abdominal trauma in patients with hemorrhagic shock requiring emergency laparotomy and clarify the beneficial effects of intra-aortic balloon occlusion (IABO) for intra-abdominal hemorrhage in patients with critically uncontrollable hemorrhagic shock (CUHS).

Methods

We reviewed 44 hemorrhagic shock patients who underwent emergency laparotomy for intra-abdominal hemorrhage over a 6-year period. Of these patients, we examined data for 19 subjects who underwent IABO during initial resuscitation to control massive intra-abdominal bleeding leading to CUHS.

Results

The average Injury Severity Score and probability of survival (Ps) of the 44 patients were 27.6 ± 15.4 and 0.735 ± 0.304, respectively, and the overall survival rate was 77.3%. The differences in the Glasgow Coma Scale, lactate level, prothrombin time - international normalized ratio, and Ps between the two groups (21 responders and 23 non-responders) were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Intra-aortic balloon occlusion was attempted in 19 of 23 patients (82.6%) with CUHS, and there were no statistically significant differences in presenting Glasgow Coma Scale, body temperature, lactate, prothrombin time - international normalized ratio, or Revised Trauma Score between the survivors (n = 12) and non-survivors (n = 7). The only significant differences between these two groups were observed in Injury Severity Score (P = 0.047) and Ps (P = 0.007). In all patients, the balloons were successfully placed in 8.1 ± 3.3 min in the thoracic aorta, and a significant increase in systolic blood pressure was observed immediately after IABO.

Conclusion

The IABO procedure can be life-saving in the management of patients with CUHS arising from intra-abdominal hemorrhage, permitting transport to surgery.

Implementation of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta as an alternative to resuscitative thoracotomy for noncompressible truncal hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage remains the leading cause of death in trauma patients. Proximal aortic occlusion, usually performed by direct aortic cross-clamping via thoracotomy, can provide temporary hemodynamic stability, permitting definitive injury repair. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) uses a minimally invasive, transfemoral balloon catheter, which is rapidly inserted retrograde and inflated for aortic occlusion, and may control inflow and allow time for hemostasis. We compared resuscitative thoracotomy with aortic cross-clamping (RT) with REBOA in trauma patients in profound hemorrhagic shock.

METHODS

Trauma registry data was used to compare all patients undergoing RT or REBOA during an 18-month period from two Level 1 trauma centers.

RESULTS

There was no difference between RT (n = 72) and REBOA groups (n = 24) in terms of demographics, mechanism of injury, or Injury Severity Scores (ISSs). There was no difference in chest and abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores between the groups. However, the RT patients had lower extremity AIS score as compared with REBOA patients (1.5 [0-3] vs. 4 [3-4], p < 0.001). Of the 72 RT patients, 45 (62.5%) died in the emergency department, 6 (8.3%) died in the operating room, and 14 (19.4%) died in the intensive care unit. Of the 24 REBOA patients, 4 (16.6%) died in the emergency department, 3 (12.5%) died in the operating room, and 8 (33.3%) died in the intensive care unit. In comparing location of death between the RT and REBOA groups, there were a significantly higher number of deaths in the emergency department among the RT patients as compared with the REBOA patients (62.5% vs. 16.7%, p < 0.001). REBOA had fewer early deaths and improved overall survival as compared with RT (37.5% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

REBOA is feasible and controls noncompressible truncal hemorrhage in trauma patients in profound shock. Patients undergoing REBOA have improved overall survival and fewer early deaths as compared with patients undergoing RT.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level IV.

Retrospective study of the effectiveness of Intra-Aortic Balloon Occlusion (IABO) for traumatic haemorrhagic shock

Introduction

Intra-aortic balloon occlusion (IABO) is useful for proximal vascular control, by clamping the descending aorta, in traumatic haemorrhagic shock. However, there are limited clinical studies regarding its effectiveness. This study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of IABO for traumatic haemorrhagic shock.

Methods

This retrospective, observational study included trauma patients who underwent IABO at the Emergency and Critical Care Center of Nippon Medical School Tama-Nagayama Hospital between January 2009 and March 2013. 14 patients were included to this study who were in shock on arrival (systolic blood pressure [SBP] <90 mmHg or shock index ≥1), underwent IABO for resuscitation and temporary haemostasis, and subsequently underwent haemostatic intervention (operation or transcatheter arterial embolization). Patient characteristics, physiological status, SBP, heart rate (HR), initial fluid and blood transfusion, time course, and total occlusion time were compared before and after IABO as well as between the survived (n = 5) and non-survived (n = 9) groups.

Results

The majority of patients experienced blunt injuries, with an average injury severity score of 29.5. The liver, pelvis, spleen, and mesenterium represented the majority of injured organs. SBP, but not HR, was significantly higher after IABO than before IABO (123.1 vs. 65.5 mmHg, P = 0.0001). The revised trauma score and probability of survival were significantly different between the survived and non-survived groups (both, P = 0.04). The survived group required significantly less blood transfusion volume than the non-survived group (20 vs. 33.7 red blood cell units, P = 0.04). In addition, the survived group required a significantly shorter total occlusion time than the non-survived group (46.2 vs. 224.1 min, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

IABO was used for relatively severe trauma patients. SBP was significantly higher after IABO, but was not related to survival. However, blood transfusion volume and total occlusion time were related to survival; therefore, it is important to reduce or shorten these parameters, i.e., immediate definitive haemostasis. IABO is effective for traumatic haemorrhagic shock; however, it is also important to consider these points and potential complications.

The use of emergency department thoracotomy for traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest

Despite the establishment of evidence-based guidelines for the resuscitation of critically injured patients who have sustained cardiopulmonary arrest, rapid decisions regarding patient salvageability in these situations remain difficult even for experienced physicians. Regardless, survival is limited after traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest. One applicable, well-described resuscitative technique is the emergency department thoracotomy-a procedure that, when applied correctly, is effective in saving small but significant numbers of critically injured patients. By understanding the indications, technical details, and predictors of survival along with the inherent risks and costs of emergency department thoracotomy, the physician is better equipped to make rapid futile versus salvageable decisions for this most severely injured subset of patients.

A porcine model for evaluating the management of noncompressible torso hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Noncompressible hemorrhage from central vascular injuries remains the leading cause of preventable death in modern combat. This report introduces a large animal model of noncompressible torso hemorrhage, which permits assessment of the various approaches to this problem.

METHODS

Yorkshire swine were anesthetized and monitoring devices for central aortic pressure, carotid flow, and intracerebral and transcutaneous brain oximetry were applied. Class IV hemorrhagic shock was induced through an iliac arterial injury and animals were subjected to different vascular control methods including thoracic aortic clamping, supraceliac aortic clamping, direct vascular control, and proximal endovascular balloon occlusion. After vascular control, the injury was shunted, and damage control resuscitation was continued. Serum markers, intravenous fluid volumes, and vasopressor requirements were tracked over a subsequent resuscitation period. Postmortem tissue analysis was performed to compare levels of acute ischemic injury between groups.

RESULTS

The protocol for animal preparation, hemorrhage volume, open surgical technique, and posthemorrhage resuscitation was developed using four animals. The endovascular approach was developed using two additional animals. After model development, treatment animals subsequently underwent noncompressible hemorrhage with thoracic aortic clamping, supraceliac aortic clamping, direct vascular control, and endovascular aortic occlusion. Premature death occurred in one animal in the direct vascular control group.

CONCLUSION

This study presents a large animal model of class IV hemorrhagic shock from noncompressible hemorrhage, which permits comparison of various vascular control methods to address this challenging problem. Future studies using this model as the standard will allow further development of strategies for the management of noncompressible hemorrhage.

Emergency department thoracotomy: still useful after abdominal exsanguination?

BACKGROUND

Although literature regarding emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) outcome after abdominal exsanguination is limited, numerous reports have documented poor EDT survival in patients with anatomic injuries other than cardiac wounds. As a result, many trauma surgeons consider prelaparotomy EDT futile for patients dying from intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Our primary study objective was to prove that prelaparotomy EDT is beneficial to patients with exsanguinating abdominal hemorrhage.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 237 consecutive EDTs for penetrating injury (2000-2006) revealed 50 patients who underwent EDT for abdominal exsanguination. Age, gender, injury mechanism and location, field and emergency department (ED) signs of life, prehospital time, initial ED cardiac rhythm, vital signs, Glasgow Coma Score, blood transfusion requirements, predicted mortality, primary abdominal injuries, and the need for temporary abdominal closure were analyzed. The primary study endpoint was neurologically intact hospital survival.

RESULTS

The 50 patients who underwent prelaparotomy EDT for abdominal exsanguination were largely young (mean, 27.3 +/- 8.2 years) males (94%) suffering firearm injuries (98%). Patients presented with field (84%) and ED signs of life (78%) after a mean prehospital time of 21.2 +/- 9.8 minutes. Initial ED cardiac rhythms were variable and Glasgow Coma Score was depressed (mean, 4.2 +/- 3.2). Eight (16%) patients survived hospitalization, neurologically intact. Of these eight, all were in hemorrhagic shock because of major abdominal vascular (75%) or severe liver injuries (25%) and all required massive blood transfusion (mean, 28.6 +/- 17.3 units) and extended intensive care unit length of stay (mean, 36.3 +/- 25.7 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite critical injuries, 16% survived hospitalization, neurologically intact, after EDT for abdominal exsanguination. Our results suggest that prelaparotomy EDT provides survival benefit to penetrating trauma victims dying from intra-abdominal hemorrhage.

Factors Affecting the Outcome of Patients with Splenic Trauma

This is a report of 546 consecutive patients with penetrating and blunt splenic trauma seen over a 17½-year period (1980–1997). The etiology of the splenic injuries and the associated mortality rates were: blunt injuries 45 of 298 (15%), gunshot wounds 48 of 199 (24%), and stab wounds four of 49 (8%). The overall mortality rate was 97 of 546 (18%). The most significant risk factors for death were all associated with major blood loss: transfusion requirements ≤6 units of blood, low initial operating room blood pressure, associated abdominal vascular injuries, and performance of a thoracotomy. The two most important organs injured in conjunction with the spleen that were significant predictors of postoperative infectious complications were colon and pancreas. The need for splenectomy was most significantly correlated with higher grades of splenic injury especially grades IV and V. The evolution in management of blunt splenic trauma has led to a significant improvement in splenic preservation and avoidance of laparotomy for many patients. Operative splenic salvage is reduced in patients subjected to laparotomy who are candidates for nonoperative treatment. Improved results with splenic injury should be obtained by rapid control of bleeding. This may require more liberal criterial in selecting patients with splenic trauma for early operative treatment.

Factors affecting mortality rates in patients with abdominal vascular injuries

BACKGROUND

Major vessel injury is seen in 5% to 25% of patients admitted to hospitals with abdominal trauma, and this is the most common cause of death in these patients.

METHODS

Data on 470 patients with abdominal vascular injuries seen at a Level I trauma center were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The overall mortality rate was 45%. The incidence of various types of trauma were blunt in 51 patients (11%), gunshot wounds in 329 patients (70%), shotgun wounds in 21 patients (4%), and stab wounds in 69 patients (15%). The three vessels with the highest mortality rates were aorta (at and proximal to the renals) (32 of 35 [91%]), hepatic veins and/or retrohepatic vena cava (36 of 41 [88%]), and portal vein (25 of 36 [69%]). The most significant risk factors (p < 0.001) for death were a trauma score of 9 or less, initial operating room (OR) systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mm Hg, final OR core temperature < 34 degrees C, 10 or more blood transfusions in the first 24 hours, and an initial emergency department SBP < 70 mm Hg. Of 120 patients with an initial OR SBP < 70 mm Hg, 103 (86%) died. Of 29 patients with a good response to a prelaparotomy thoracotomy with thoracic aortic cross-clamping (SBP > 90 mm Hg within 5 minutes), 11 (38%) survived. Of the remaining 87 patients, only 6 (7%) survived (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Rapid control of bleeding sites (to keep blood transfusions to < 10 units) and urgent correction of hypothermia seem to be the main factors improving survival over which the surgeon has some control.

Survival after emergency department thoracotomy: review of published data from the past 25 years

BACKGROUND

Emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) has become standard therapy for patients who acutely arrest after injury. Patient selection is vitally important to achieve optimal outcomes without wasting valuable resources. The aim of this study was to determine the main factors that most influence survival after EDT.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty-four studies that included 4,620 cases from institutions that reported EDT for both blunt and penetrating trauma during the past 25 years were reviewed. The primary outcomes analyzed were in-hospital survival rates.

RESULTS

EDT had an overall survival rate of 7.4%. Normal neurologic outcomes were noted in 92.4% of surviving patients. Factors reported as influencing outcomes were the mechanism of injury (MOI), location of major injury (LOMI), and signs of life (SOL). Survival rates for MOI were 8.8% for penetrating injuries and 1.4% for blunt injuries. When penetrating injuries were further separated, the survival rates were 16.8% for stab wounds and 4.3% for gunshot wounds. For the LOMI, survival rates were 10.7% for thoracic injuries, 4.5% for abdominal injuries, and 0.7% for multiple injuries. If the LOMI was the heart, the survival rate was the highest at 19.4%. The third factor influencing outcomes was SOL. If SOL were present on arrival at the hospital, survival rate was 11.5% in contrast to 2.6% if none were present. SOL present during transport resulted in a survival rate of 8.9%. Absence of SOL in the field yielded a survival rate of 1.2%. There was no clear single independent preoperative factor that could uniformly predict death.

CONCLUSIONS

The best survival results are seen in patients who undergo EDT for thoracic stab injuries and who arrive with SOL in the emergency department. All three factors-MOI, LOMI, and SOL-should be taken into account when deciding whether to perform EDT. Uniform reporting guidelines are needed to further elucidate the role of EDT taking into account the combination of MOI, LOMI, and SOL.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) prevents hypotension after hemorrhagic shock and aortic cross clamping

To determine if superoxide dismutase (SOD) administration attenuates injury caused by supraceliac aortic cross clamping, a randomized controlled study on 12 taconic rats was performed at the university hospital research center at Syracuse, New York. All animals were anesthetized and placed on a ventilator through a tracheotomy. Surgical preparation included catheterization of carotid and femoral arteries, and the jugular vein. A midline laparotomy was performed through which the supraceliac aorta was exposed and isolated. Animals were allowed to stabilize after surgery and baseline measurements [systemic pressure (Psys), central venous pressure, and blood gases] were recorded. Then, animals were subjected to 60 minutes of hemorrhagic shock (mean Psys = 35 mm Hg), followed by 45 minutes of supraceliac aortic cross clamping. After the release of the aortic cross clamp, shed blood was reinfused. After stabilization, all animals were monitored for 60 minutes. Rats were separated into two groups: the experimental group (n = 6) that received intravenous SOD before and during aortic cross clamping, and the control group (n = 6) that received an equivalent volume of saline at the same time periods. No difference was detected in overall arterial pH, partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure, or base excess at any time period between the groups. A significant increase in Psys was measured in the experimental group compared with the control group from the time of aortic cross-clamp release until the experiment was terminated. One hour after aortic cross-clamp release, the Psys for the experimental group was 69.2 +/- 10.6 mm Hg vs. 36.7 +/- 3.8 mm Hg for the control group (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that superoxide dismutase significantly improves postaortic cross-clamp Psys. This suggests that oxygen-derived free radicals play a role in postaortic cross-clamp hypotension.

Assessment and management of the hemorrhaging patient

Trauma patients presenting to the veterinarian on an emergency basis commonly have bleeding injuries. Although mild hemorrhage is often self-limiting, severe hemorrhage may be lethal if not surgically controlled. Management of these patients requires rapid assessment and diagnostics so that appropriate treatment is provided in a timely manner. This article describes care of the hemorrhaging patient including assessment, immediate resuscitation, and principles of controlling the hemorrhage. External and surgical methods of treating hemorrhage are discussed, with a concentration on the surgical management of the hemorrhaging patient.

Retroperitoneal vascular injury

Retroperitoneal vascular injuries are among the greatest challenges that confront the surgeon. Problems in resuscitation, exposure, and repair are numerous. Techniques to improve such perioperative tactics result in improved survival.

Surgery for liver trauma

Hepatic injuries are found in 30 per cent of patients undergoing operation after penetrating abdominal wounds and in 15 to 20 per cent of patients undergoing operation after blunt trauma. Signs of blood loss, peritonitis, or peritoneal traverse by a missile prompt early operation in many patients. Stable patients who have suffered stab wounds in proximity to the liver may be safely evaluated by diagnostic peritoneal lavage, whereas CT evaluation is now used in stable patients suffering blunt trauma that may involve the liver. "Simple" techniques of repair such as suture hepatorrhaphy, application of topical agents, or application of fibrin glue suffice in 60 per cent (blunt trauma) to 90 per cent (penetrating trauma) of patients with hepatic injuries. The remainder require "advanced" techniques of repair such as extensive hepatorrhaphy, hepatotomy with selective vascular ligation, resectional debridement with selective vascular ligation, lobectomy or segmentectomy, selective hepatic artery ligation, or perihepatic packing. Using the techniques described, the mortality rate for all patients with hepatic injuries will be approximately 10 per cent, with 75 to 80 per cent of all deaths occurring in the perioperative period from shock or transfusion-related coagulopathies. The most common major complications in survivors are perihepatic abscesses and postoperative hemorrhage, both of which are frequently treated by the interventional radiologist.

Emergency department thoracotomy for trauma: a collective review

A decade of experience with resuscitative thoracotomy for the trauma victim in extremis has been gained since the pioneering efforts of Mattox and his associates in 1974. It appears, from a review of the various reports from different trauma centers, that there is an emergence of a consensus as to the best indications for the procedure. It is generally agreed upon that ERT is fruitless in the patient with severe head trauma or when vital signs were absent at the scene of the injury. In the absence of penetrating thoracic injuries ERT yields a very poor survival in patients without vital signs on admission to the emergency center. It is widely accepted that the best results for ERT are in patients with cardiac tamponade. The prognosis is hopeless in patients without vital signs after sustaining blunt trauma.

Aortic compressor for aortic occlusion in hemorrhagic shock

The aortic compressor is a device that allows rapid, simple, immediately reversible occlusion of the thoracic aorta, without the aortic dissection required to use an aortic cross-clamp. We evaluated the aortic compressor in a controlled study using a canine hemorrhagic shock model. Twelve mongrel dogs were exsanguinated to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 47 mm Hg and maintained at that level for 20 minutes. At that point, all animals had a left lateral thoracotomy. Six study animals had the thoracic aorta occluded at the diaphragm using the compressor. Five minutes after thoracotomy, with or without occlusion, the shed blood was reinfused. Application of the aortic compressor was the only variable. Use of the aortic compressor led to an immediate and statistically significant doubling of the study animals' MAP. The increased afterload of aortic occlusion did not impair cardiac output. The cardiac index of the study animals rose slightly, while that of the control animals fell. At the same time the compressor prevented blood flow to the abdominal aorta. If the canine model can be extrapolated to human application, then the aortic compressor would be expected to enhance perfusion of the heart and brain during hemorrhagic shock, prevent further arterial blood loss from intra-abdominal injury or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, and preserve already diminished cardiac output. Because the aorta does not need to be dissected out to use the compressor, there is no risk of injury to nearby vascular structures.

The effects of thoracic aortic cross-clamping and declamping on visceral organ blood flow

Blood flow was measured using radioactive microspheres in 11 macaque monkeys 1) before hemorrhage shock, 2) after onset of shock, 3) after aortic cross-clamping and resuscitation, and 4) after release of the cross-clamp and stabilization. Hemodynamic parameters (cardiac output, arterial, right atrial and left atrial pressure) and blood gases were also monitored. Total abdominal organ flow fell with hemorrhage and fell further with aortic clamping. Reinfusion of shed volume did not restore abdominal organ flow (4.7% baselines) but increased LAP and cardiac output to the upper body. Release of the cross-clamp produced profound acidosis that was treated effectively with NcHCO3. After stabilization of blood, flow to kidney remained low (49% baseline) although intestinal flow was increased threefold (320% of baseline). It is clear that thoracic aortic cross-clamping in shock further compromises already reduced visceral blood flow and may contribute to the problem of ischemic multiple organ failure after resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock.

Emergency department thoracotomy

The charts of 33 consecutive patients undergoing emergency department thoracotomies between July 1, 1979 and June 30, 1980 were reviewed. Thoracotomies were performed in victims of both blunt and penetrating trauma who had suffered cardiopulmonary arrest and were refractory to the usual methods of resuscitation. Overall survival was 12.1% (4/33). There were no survivors from blunt trauma or penetrating wounds below the diaphragm. In patients with penetrating wounds above the diaphragm, emergency thoracotomy may be considerable benefit as demonstrated in our study by a 66.6% salvage rate.

Hemodynamic effects of aortic occlusion during hemorrhagic shock

We investigated cardiac dynamics following temporary aortic occlusion during profound hypovolemia and abdominal distention. Control animals (N = 10) were bled from a femoral artery catheter to a systolic blood pressure of 60 mm Hg, while simultaneous abdominal distention was effected with intraperitoneal infusion of saline. After one hour of shock, thoracic aortic occlusion and immediate laparotomy were performed. The aorta was clamped for 20 minutes and then released over 5 minutes. The second group (N = 10) underwent the same procedure but received methylprednisolone sodium succinate intravenously at the time of aortic occlusion. During hypotension, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, and stroke work decreased, while systemic vascular resistance increased. Aortic occlusion improved cardiac hemodynamics in the control group; in the steroid group these changes were even more pronounced. Measurement of dp/dt demonstrated ventricular contractility impaired during hypotension and improved during the period of aortic occlusion. Temporary thoracic aortic occlusion in the face of profound hypotension and massive abdominal distention improved cardiac function. The resulting increased afterload in this hypovolemic state was without deleterious effects. Furthermore, steroids appeared to enhance the cardiac response to aortic cross-clamping.

Failure of cross clamping the thoracic aorta to control intra-abdominal bleeding

The efficiency of cross clamping the thoracic aorta for cases of massive hemorrhage and impending cardiac arrest is questionable. We present two cases of major intra-abdominal aortic injury in which the bleeding could not be controlled by cross clamping the thoracic aorta. Multiple collateral pathways around the clamped aorta may have rendered this procedure almost ineffective. In cases of major intra-abdominal arterial disruption, emergency department laparotomy may be necessary.

Emergency department thoracotomy

Emergency thoracotomy has become a mainstay in the resuscitation of patients with major thoracic injuries. It also is occasionally useful in several other life-threatening conditions. The specific indications for emergency thoracotomy are reviewed, and expeditious thoracotomy in the emergency department, when necessary, is advocated. Due to the strategic problems associated with carrying out such a major procedure in the emergency department, the grave prognosis for many of the patients for whom thoracotomy is considered, and the great expense of the procedure, emergency physicians must be aware of the specific indications and likely outcome when considering such a procedure.

Laparotomy in the emergency department

Reports of advancements in emergency department operative resuscitative skills have included craniotomy, thoracotomy, cardiorrhaphy and even cardiopulmonary bypass. The efficacy and advisability of laparotomy in the emergency department remain in question. Between July, 1972, and July, 1977, adhering to an established protocol, resuscitative laparotomy was performed on 51 patients in the emergency department. All 51 patients underwent emergency thoracotomy also. Twenty-four patients were victims of gunshot wounds, 24 had sustained blunt trauma, and three had abdominal stab wounds. Injuries to the liver, major vessels, and spleen were most common. Control of hemorrhage by clamps, packs or pressure was the primary objective of laparotomy. Control of exsanguinating hemorrhage with precise application of vascular clamps was possible in all but 15 patients. Because of extensive multiple injuries and inability to achieve cardiovascular stability, only 11 patients reached the operating room, and none survived to leave the hospital. Although technically possible, laparotomy in the emergency center did not alter the fatal outcome of moribund patients in this series.

Factors influencing mortality and morbidity from injuries to tha abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava

Fifty patients having undergone operation for injury to the abdominal aorta and/or vena cava at the University of Alabama Hospital are reviewed. Factors influencing mortality include mechanism and location of injury, presence of shock, associated vascular and visceral organ injuries, and delay in treatment. Rapid restoration of blood volume and control of hemorrhage are the primary goals of resuscitative measures. Only with a preconceived and coordinated plan can the surgeon fully employ the necessary skills in the management of these serious injuries.