Recent advances in austere combat surgery: Use of aortic balloon occlusion as well as blood challenges by special operations medical forces in recent combat operations

David Marc Northern*, Justin D. Manley, Regan Lyon, Daniel Farber, Benjamin J. Mitchell, Kristopher J. Filak, Jonathan Lundy, Joe J. DuBose, Todd E. Rasmussen, John B. Holcomb

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

82 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) for control of noncompressible torso hemorrhage is a technology that is increasingly being utilized in the combat casualty setting. Its use in the resource restricted environment holds potential to improve hemorrhage control, decrease blood product utilization, decrease morbidity, and improve combat mortality. The objective of this report is to present the single largest series of REBOA use on severely injured combat casualties. METHODS: Over an 18-month period, austere surgical teams comprised of coalition partners provided initial damage control resuscitation (DCR) and surgical stabilization for over 2,300 combat casualties prior to transferring patients to the next level of trauma care. RESULTS: Twenty patients presented with injuries from explosion and gunshot wounds with mean initial heart rate of 129 bpm and mean initial systolic blood pressure of 71 mm Hg. Femoral cutdowns were used in six patients. Aortic occlusion was achieved with REBOA catheter placement in Zone 1 (n = 17) and Zone 3 (n = 2). Systolic blood pressure increased an average of 56 mm Hg with aortic occlusion. There were no access related site complications. All patients survived transport to the next level of care. The majority of blood products transfused in this cohort were whole blood, largely supported by emergent blood drives. CONCLUSION: This series demonstrates the potential for REBOA as a lifesaving technique for the patient who presents with hemodynamic instability and noncompressible torso hemorrhage. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta allows austere surgical teams to rapidly stabilize severely injured combat casualties, expand capability, and provide enhanced DCR while minimizing personnel, resources, and blood product utilization. The use of “whole blood only” strategy for DCR shows potential to be superior to traditional component therapy, and when combined with “proactive” REBOA utilization, provides significant improvements in hemodynamics and hemorrhage control.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S98-S103
JournalJournal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Volume85
Issue number1S
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aortic occlusion
  • Austere surgery
  • Noncompressible torso hemorrhage
  • REBOA
  • Whole blood

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