Just over a year ago London HEMS performed the first pre-hospital regtrograde endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA). This is a potentially lifesaving treatment pioneered by the US military1 for patients with exsanguinating pelvic and lower limb haemorrhage. There are REBOA trials underway in major trauma centres in Australia currently, so it won’t be happening anytime soon in your local Aussie ED, but for an amazing closeup view of roadside REBOA, check out this episode of “An hour to save your life”.
Want to read the literature on REBOA? Here’s some references.
1. Stannard A, Eliason JL, Rasmussen TE. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) as an adjunct for hemorrhagic shock. J Trauma. 2011 Dec;71(6):1869-72 (full article free text)
2. Martinelli et al. Intra-Aortic Balloon Occlusion to Salvage Patients with Life-Threatening Hemorrhagic Shocks from Pelvic Fractures J Trauma 2010; 68(4): 942–8 (full article free text)
6. White et al. Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta Is Superior to Resuscitative Thoracotomy with Aortic Clamping in a Porcine Model of Hemorrhagic Shock. Surgery 2011; 150(3): 400–9 (full article free text)
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