Vascular complications from resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta: Life over limb?

BACKGROUND: Vascular complications from resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) have been reported in as high as 13% with some patients requiring lower-extremity amputation. We sought to review our institution series of REBOA and assess our vascular complications.

METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients undergoing REBOA from October 2011 through July 2016. Data were gathered from the Memorial Hermann Trauma Registry and the hospital electronic medical records. Operative details and vascular injuries from arterial access for REBOA insertion were recorded.

RESULTS: Forty-eight patients underwent REBOA during our study period. Thirty-eight had the 14 Fr. system placed and 10 had the 7 Fr. system placed. Of the 24 surviving the removal of the 14 Fr. sheath, 19 had primary repair of the arteriotomy without vascular complication. The other five required additional vascular procedures to repair arteriotomy with no lower-extremity amputations. There were no vascular complications of sheath removal with the 7 Fr. system, with no amputations.

CONCLUSION: Implementation of REBOA can be done safely without increased risk of vascular access complications or limb loss. The 14 Fr. system will more likely require further vascular procedures to address the access site, whereas the 7 Fr. system will not.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level II.