External Aortic Compression in Noncompressible Truncal Hemorrhage and Traumatic Cardiac Arrest: A Scoping Review

Abstract

We read with interest the review of external aortic compression by Soeyland et al.1 The literature on external devices that compress the aorta, including pneumatic antishock garments, nonpneumatic antishock garments, and our own soccer ball–based Ball and Binder, may help clarify several issues.2 An external pressure that is greater than the pressure in a bleeding vessel will always stop flow and, hence, hemorrhage; this is simple physics. Aortic flow can be stopped completely using a pneumatic antishock garments or Ball and Binder because these devices can generate pressures greater than the aortic pressure.