Abstract 28: Feasibility and Safety of Pre-Hospital Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) in Non-Traumatic Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Abstract

Introduction: The proportion of patients surviving to hospital discharge after out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is low and any measure that may improve circulation to vital organs during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is beneficial. The use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) will redistribute cardiac output to the organs proximal to the occlusion. Animal studies supports that aortic occlusion during CPR might benefit patients suffering from OHCA, but human data are scarce. Methods: We performed an observational study at the helicopter emergency medical service in Trondheim (Norway) to assess the feasibility and safety of establishing REBOA in OHCA patients. The femoral artery was identified by ultrasound and a REBOA catheter was placed in the thoracic aorta. All patients received advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) during the procedure. REBOA eligibility, procedural success and time intervals were registered. A safety monitoring program was conducted to ensure that the procedure did not interfere with the quality of ACLS. Results: REBOA was initiated in ten of 98 OHCA patients. The mean age was 63 years (55-71) and 7 were male. The REBOA procedure was successful in all cases (100%), with 80% success rate on first cannulation attempt. Mean REBOA procedural time was 11,7 minutes (8-16, SD 3,2). End-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) increased by a mean of 1.9 kPa at 60 seconds after inflation compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Six of 10 patients (60%) achieved return of spontaneous circulation, 3 (30%) was admitted to hospital. 30-day survival was 10%. The mean width of the femoral artery and vein during CPR was 5,9 mm (3,6 - 7,4, SD 1,2) and 9,4 mm (5,0 - 12,9, SD 2,9), respectively. The safety monitoring group identified no negative influence on the ACLS quality. Conclusions: This is the first study to assess the pre-hospital use of REBOA in patients with non-traumatic cardiac arrest. The REBOA procedure does not interfere with the quality of the ACLS. REBOA is a feasible adjunct treatment in OHCA. The significant increase in EtCO2 after occlusion suggests improved organ circulation during CPR.