The St.Emlyn’s Podcast

Simon and Zaf talk about the practicalities of REBOA and discuss whether it's ready for prime time in the UK.

Introduction

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is a minimally invasive technique designed to control hemorrhage in patients with life-threatening bleeding and offers a bridge to definitive surgical intervention. Here at St Emlyn’s, we are committed to exploring innovative solutions that enhance patient outcomes in emergency medicine. In this post, we delve into the essentials of REBOA, its clinical application, benefits, and challenges.

Understanding REBOA

REBOA involves the insertion of a balloon catheter into the aorta via the femoral artery. By inflating the balloon, we can occlude the aorta, thus controlling bleeding below the point of occlusion. This procedure is particularly useful in cases of non-compressible torso haemorrhage, where traditional methods of haemorrhage control are inadequate.

Indications and Contraindications

Indications:

1. Hemorrhagic shock from pelvic fractures or abdominal bleeding.
2. Trauma patients with signs of severe hemorrhage unresponsive to fluid resuscitation.
3. As a temporary measure until surgical control of bleeding is achieved.

Contraindications:

1. Patients with known aortic pathology (e.g., aortic dissection).
2. Significant injury above the diaphragm.
3. Prolonged transport times where REBOA may not be beneficial.

The Procedure

Preparation

Before performing REBOA, it is crucial to ensure that the patient is appropriately resuscitated and stabilized as much as possible. This includes securing the airway, ensuring adequate ventilation, and achieving initial hemodynamic stabilization.

Insertion and Inflation

1. Vascular Access: Gain access to the common femoral artery using ultrasound guidance to minimize complications.
2. Catheter Insertion: Insert the REBOA catheter through a sheath into the femoral artery. Advance the catheter under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance to the desired level in the aorta (Zone I: above the celiac artery for abdominal hemorrhage, Zone III: above the bifurcation of the iliac arteries for pelvic hemorrhage).
3. Balloon Inflation: Inflate the balloon to occlude the aorta. This temporarily controls bleeding and allows time for definitive surgical repair.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Continuous monitoring of vital signs and catheter position is essential. The occlusion time should be minimized to reduce ischemic complications. Ideally, REBOA should serve as a bridge to definitive surgical intervention within 30-60 minutes.

Benefits and Challenges

Benefits

1. Rapid Hemorrhage Control: REBOA can quickly control bleeding, buying crucial time for surgical intervention.
2. Less Invasive: Compared to traditional open thoracotomy with aortic cross-clamping, REBOA is less invasive, reducing associated morbidity.
3. Improved Survival Rates: Emerging evidence suggests that REBOA can improve survival rates in appropriately selected trauma patients.

Challenges

1. Technical Expertise: REBOA requires specific training and expertise. Improper technique can lead to significant complications.
2. Ischemic Complications: Prolonged aortic occlusion can lead to ischemia of distal organs and tissues, necessitating careful monitoring and timely deflation.
3. Resource Intensive: REBOA demands resources such as fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and trained personnel, which may not be available in all settings.

Conclusion

REBOA represents a promising advancement in trauma care, offering a vital tool in the management of life-threatening haemorrhage, but it's utility in the Emergency Department is uncertain.

Further reading