Use of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in Resuscitation of the Trauma Patient

Trauma is the leading causes of death in younger adults in the United States, Severe hemorrhage is the leading cause of potentially preventable deaths in trauma patients and a majority of these cases are in noncompressible torso hemorrhage. To prevent immediate exsanguination prior to definitive hemorrhage control, obtaining proximal aortic control remains the benchmark for survival in NCTH which is typically achieved through resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) and descending aortic clamping. In the past decade, the use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) as a bridge to definitive hemorrhage control in NCTH has increased significantly in civilian trauma care. However, there are inconsistent results regarding the role of REBOA in hemorrhage control in trauma patients. High-level evidence-based evaluation of the indications of this tool is needed prior to its widespread adoption.