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REBOA is a acronym for Resuscitative Endovascular Baloon Occlusion of the Aorta. This procedure involves placing a a catheter with a balloon into the aorta (think similar to a cardiac cath) and occluding the aorta, which reduces blood loss. This also augments afterload and reduces the workload of the heart in hemorrhagic trauma situations. This is a tool for trauma patients who are in PEA arrest for less than ten minutes. It is also indicated for suspected intra-abdominal hemorrhage, or severe hypovolemic shock. Severe shock would be defined as a SBP below 70 mmHg.

This is one of those tools that works for a very specific patient population. If a patient does not have readily available anatomic landmarks for the femoral artery, the intervention cannot be used. It is also contraindicated for patients who are not experiencing significant hemorrhage.

It is important to note that the evidence for REBOA is currently lacking, but is encouraging. This is going to be a tool that has a place in the toolbox of resuscitation medicine. That means that in the future, it will certainly have a role in pre-hospital medicine.

More on REBOA: Life in the Fast Lane

EmCrit