Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a percutaneous transfemoral balloon technique used in select centers for resuscitation and temporary hemostasis of bleeding patients. Several animal studies demonstrated that its application in non-traumatic cardiac arrest could enhance cerebral and coronary perfusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); despite this, there are few reports of its application in humans. This is a case report of REBOA application during a refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a 50-year-old man where Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) alone was unable to maintain a stable return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and Extracorporeal Cardiac Life Support (ECLS) was not available.

Introduction: Trauma leading to uncontrolled hemorrhage of the torso in the critically injured patient can rapidly progress to decreased cerebral and cardiovascular perfusion and carries a significant morbidity and mortality. Given the non-compressible nature and difficult anatomic access of these injuries, obtaining hemostasis is often a challenge and non-surgical options are sparse. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is a rapidly administered emergency department intervention that allows transient source control of caudal torso hemorrhage while arranging definitive surgical management. Although initially postulated in the 1950s, limited research regarding its therapeutic use in trauma has been available until recently. Here, we present a systematic review of the literature pertaining to the use of REBOA in severe trauma. Methods: An experienced medical librarian searched electronic databases for terms relating to REBOA, aortic balloon occlusion, hemorrhage, trauma and shock. Articles were identified, screened, retrieved and reviewed in accordance with PRISMA systematic review guidelines. English case reports, case series, cohort studies, randomized-controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses pertaining to the use of REBOA in human trauma patients were included. Customized inclusion and data extraction forms were created and used to form an electronic database of relevant studies. Results: After exclusion of duplicates, 2147 potentially relevant articles were identified and screened by title/abstract and 136 articles meeting inclusion criteria were retrieved for full-text review. Final analysis of 26 articles included 5 case reports, 13 case series, 7 observational cohort studies and 1 systematic review. Data spanning 771 patients undergoing REBOA were collected (weighted average age: 49.5, gender: 67.7% male, injury severity score: 35.1). Where data available, REBOA increased systolic blood pressure by a weighted average of 54.7mmhg and overall survival was 32.6%. Conclusion: Limited evidence pertaining to the use of REBOA in severe trauma exists with the majority of available data coming from individual case studies and case series. By extension, quantitative analysis regarding outcome data of this intervention requires further research in the form of larger studies with subgroup analysis to identify the subset of patients for which REBOA may benefit and to further delineate the risks of implementing this intervention