Prehospital Fluid Administration Research Articles

Trends in pre-hospital volume resuscitation of blunt trauma patients: a 15-year analysis of the British (TARN) and German (TraumaRegister DGU®) National Registries

IntroductionFluid resuscitation has long been a cornerstone of pre-hospital trauma care, yet its optimal approach remains undetermined. Although a liberal approach to fluid resuscitation has been linked with increased complications, the potential survival benefits of a restrictive approach in blunt trauma patients have not been definitively established. Consequently, equipoise persists regarding the optimal fluid resuscitation strategy in this population.MethodsWe analysed data from the two largest European trauma registries, the UK Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) and the German TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU), between 2004 and 2018. All adult blunt trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score > 15 were included. We examined annual trends in pre-hospital fluid resuscitation, admission coagulation function, and mortality rates.ResultsOver the 15-year study period, data from 68,510 patients in the TARN cohort and 82,551 patients in the TR-DGU cohort were analysed. In the TARN cohort, 3.4% patients received pre-hospital crystalloid fluids, with a median volume of 25 ml (20–36 ml) administered. Conversely, in the TR-DGU cohort, 91.1% patients received pre-hospital crystalloid fluids, with a median volume of 756 ml (750–912 ml) administered. Notably, both cohorts demonstrated a consistent year-on-year decrease in the volume of pre-hospital fluid administered, accompanied by improvements in admission coagulation function and reduced mortality rates.ConclusionConsiderable variability exists in pre-hospital fluid resuscitation strategies for blunt trauma patients. Our data suggest a trend towards reduced pre-hospital fluid administration over time. This trend appears to be associated with improved coagulation function and decreased mortality rates. However, we acknowledge that these outcomes are influenced by multiple factors, including other improvements in pre-hospital care over time. Future research should aim to identify which trauma populations may benefit, be harmed, or remain unaffected by different pre-hospital fluid resuscitation strategies.

Prehospital Fluid Administration for Suspected Sepsis in a Large EMS System: Opportunities to Improve Goal Fluid Delivery

Objectives Despite EMS-implemented screening and treatment protocols for suspected sepsis patients, prehospital fluid therapy is variable. We sought to describe prehospital fluid administration in suspected sepsis patients, including demographic and clinical factors associated with fluid outcomes. Methods A retrospective cohort of adult patients from a large, county-wide EMS system from January 2018-February 2020 was identified. Patient care reports for suspected sepsis were included, as identified by EMS clinician impression of sepsis, or keywords “sepsis” or “septic” in the narrative. Outcomes were the proportions of suspected sepsis patients for whom intravenous (IV) therapy was attempted and those who received ≥500 mL IV fluid if IV access was successful. Associations between patient demographics and clinical factors with fluid outcomes were estimated with multivariable logistic regression adjusting for transport interval. Results Of 4,082 suspected sepsis patients identified, the mean patient age was 72.5 (SD 16.2) years, 50.6% were female, and 23.8% were Black. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) transport interval was 16.5 (10.9–23.2) minutes. Of identified patients, 1,920 (47.0%) had IV fluid therapy attempted, and IV access was successful in 1,872 (45.9%). Of those with IV access, 1,061 (56.7%) received ≥500mL of fluid from EMS. In adjusted analyses, female (versus male) sex (odds ratio [OR] 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69–0.90), Black (versus White) race (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.49–0.68), and end stage renal disease (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.32–0.82) were negatively associated with attempted IV therapy. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90 mmHg (OR 3.89, 95% CI 3.25–4.65) and respiratory rate >20 (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.61–2.23) were positively associated with attempted IV therapy. Female sex (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59–0.88) and congestive heart failure (CHF) (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.40–0.75) were negatively associated with receiving goal fluid volume while SBP <90 mmHg (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.83–2.88) and abnormal temperature (>100.4 F or <96 F) (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.16–1.73) were positively associated. Conclusions Fewer than half of EMS sepsis patients had IV therapy attempted, and of those, approximately half met fluid volume goal, especially when hypotensive and no CHF. Further studies are needed on improving EMS sepsis training and prehospital fluid delivery.

Trends in Prehospital Blood, Crystalloid, and Colloid Administration in Accordance With Changes in Tactical Combat Casualty Care Guidelines.

Hemorrhage is the leading threat to the survival of battlefield casualties. This study aims to investigate the types of fluids and blood products administered in prehospital trauma encounters to discover the effectiveness of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) recommendations. This is a secondary analysis of a previously described dataset from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry with a focus on prehospital fluid and blood administration in conjunction with changes in the TCCC guidelines. We collected demographic information on each patient. We categorized receipt of each fluid type and blood product as a binary variable for each casualty and evaluated trends over 2007-2020 both unadjusted and controlling for injury severity and mechanism of injury. Our original dataset comprised 25,897 adult casualties from January 1, 2007 through March 17, 2020. Most (97.3%) of the casualties were male with a median age of 25. Most (95.5%) survived to hospital discharge, and 12.2% of the dataset received fluids of any kind. Medical personnel used crystalloids in 7.4% of encounters, packed red blood cells in 2.0%, and whole blood in 0.5% with very few receiving platelets or freeze-dried plasma. In the adjusted model, we noted significant year-to-year increases in intravenous fluid administration from 2014 to 2015 and 2018 to 2019, with significant decreases noted in 2008-2009, 2010-2012, and 2015-2016. We noted no significant increases in Hextend used, but we did note significant decreases in 2010-2012. For any blood product, we noted significant increases from 2016 to 2017, with decreases noted in 2009-2013, 2015-2016, and 2017-2018. Overall, we noted a general spike in all uses in 2011-2012 that rapidly dropped off 2012-2013. Crystalloids consistently outpaced the use of blood products. We noted a small upward trend in all blood products from 2017 to 2019. Changes in TCCC guidelines did not immediately translate into changes in prehospital fluid administration practices. Crystalloid fluids continue to dominate as the most commonly administered fluid even after the 2014 TCCC guidelines changed to use of blood products over crystalloids. There should be future studies to investigate the reasons for delay in guideline implementation and efforts to improve adherence.

Significance of initial hemoglobin levels in severe trauma patients without prehospital fluid administration: a single-center study in Japan

ObjectivesHemoglobin (Hb) levels have been considered to remain stable in the early stages of bleeding due to trauma. However, several studies have reported that rapid compensatory fluid shifts cause Hb...

Changes in transfusion and fluid therapy practices in severely injured children: an analysis of 5118 children from the TraumaRegister DGU\xae

PurposeTrauma is the leading cause of death in children. In adults, blood transfusion and fluid resuscitation protocols changed resulting in a decrease of morbidity and mortality over the past 2 decades. Here, transfusion and fluid resuscitation practices were analysed in severe injured children in Germany.MethodsSeverely injured children (maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥ 3) admitted to a certified trauma-centre (TraumaZentrum DGU®) between 2002 and 2017 and registered at the TraumaRegister DGU® were included and assessed regarding blood transfusion rates and fluid therapy.Results5,118 children (aged 1–15 years) with a mean ISS 22 were analysed. Blood transfusion rates administered until ICU admission decreased from 18% (2002–2005) to 7% (2014–2017). Children who are transfused are increasingly seriously injured. ISS has increased for transfused children aged 1–15 years (2002–2005: mean 27.7–34.4 in 2014–2017). ISS in non-transfused children has decreased in children aged 1–15 years (2002–2005: mean 19.6 to mean 17.6 in 2014–2017). Mean prehospital fluid administration decreased from 980 to 549 ml without affecting hemodynamic instability.ConclusionBlood transfusion rates and amount of fluid resuscitation decreased in severe injured children over a 16-year period in Germany. Restrictive blood transfusion and fluid management has become common practice in severe injured children. A prehospital restrictive fluid management strategy in severely injured children is not associated with a worsened hemodynamic state, abnormal coagulation or base excess but leads to higher hemoglobin levels.

Trauma, Critical Care, and Emergency Care Anesthesiology: A New Paradigm for the "Acute Care" Anesthesiologist?

Trauma, Critical Care, and Emergency Care Anesthesiology: A New Paradigm for the "Acute Care" Anesthesiologist?

外傷患者に対する病院前輸液の功罪(Merits and demerits of prehospital intravenous fluid administration for trauma patients)

要旨【目的】外傷患者に対する病院前輸液が生命予後に与える影響は議論が分かれている。今回我々はショックを呈した外傷症例に対し，病院前輸液が来院時のfibrinogen値に与える影響と，ショックに対する改善効果を検討した。【対象】2010年4月から2014年10月までに当院へ搬送された18歳以上の外傷患者で現場にて出血性ショックであったものを対象とし後方視的に診療録調査を行い，病院前輸液施行群と非輸液群に分けて比較検討した。【結果】91例中，非輸液群が50例，輸液群が41例であった。fibrinogen値が200mg/dL未満となる予測因子を求めて多重ロジスティック回帰分析を施行したところ，病院前輸液の調整オッズ比が3.16（95%信頼区間:1.15–8.68）であった。一方，輸液群においては来院時収縮期血圧が有意に高く（非輸液群100.6±26.2mmHg vs 輸液群113.0±27.1mmHg），Base Deficitが有意に低かった（非輸液群4.4 [1.6–9.3] mmol/L vs 輸液群2.6 [0.6–4.7] mmol/L）。院内死亡率に有意差はなかったが，輸液群で低い傾向があった。【結語】病院前輸液はfibrinogen値を低下させる要因であったが，ショックとそれに伴う代謝性アシドーシスを抑制し，少なくとも生命予後を悪化させなかった。

A rapid infusion pump driven by micro electromagnetic linear actuation for pre-hospital intravenous fluid administration

A rapid infusion pump with a maximum flow rate of 6 L/h was designed experimentally using a micro electromagnetic linear actuator, and its effectiveness was evaluated by comparing with that of a commercial Power Infuser under preset flow rates of 0.2, 2, and 6 L/h. The flow rate, air detection sensitivity, occlusion response time, quantitative determination of hemolysis, and power consumption of the infusion devices were extensively investigated using statistical analysis methods (p < 0.05). The experimental results revealed that the flow rate of the designed infusion pump was more stable and accurate, and the hemolysis was significantly less than that of the Power Infuser. The air detection sensitivity and the power consumption could be comparable to that of the Power Infuser except the occlusion response time. The favorable performance made the designed infusion pump a potential candidate for applications in pre-hospital fluid administration.

Prehospital intravenous access and fluid resuscitation in severe sepsis: an observational cohort study.

IntroductionPrompt treatment of severe sepsis in the Emergency Department reduces deaths, but the role of prehospital fluid resuscitation is unknown. We sought to determine the risk-adjusted association between prehospital fluid administration and hospital mortality among emergency medical services (EMS) patients admitted with severe sepsis.MethodsWe performed a prospective, observational study of patients hospitalized with severe sepsis on admission among 45,394 adult EMS encounters taken to 15 hospitals from 11/2009 to 12/2010 by a two-tier EMS system in King County, Washington. The region mandated recording of prehospital intravenous catheter and fluid administration in prehospital records, along with detailed demographic, incident, physiologic, and hospital adjustment variables. We determined the effect of prehospital intravenous catheter or fluid versus no catheter or fluid on all-cause mortality using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOf all encounters, 1,350 met criteria for severe sepsis on admission, of whom 205 (15%) died by hospital discharge, 312 (23%) received prehospital intravenous fluid, 90 (7%) received a prehospital catheter alone and 948 (70%) did not receive catheter or fluid. EMS administered a median prehospital fluid volume of 500 mL (interquartile range (IQR): 200, 1000 mL). In adjusted models, the administration of any prehospital fluid was associated with reduced hospital mortality (Odds ratio =0.46; 95% Confidence interval: 0.23, 0.88; P =0.02) compared to no prehospital fluid. The odds of hospital mortality were also lower among severe sepsis patients treated with prehospital intravenous catheter alone (Odds ratio =0.3; 95% Confidence interval: 0.17 to 0.57; P <0.01).ConclusionsIn a population-based study, the administration of prehospital fluid and placement of intravenous access were associated with decreased odds of hospital mortality compared with no prehospital catheter or fluid.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-014-0533-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prehospital intravenous fluid administration is associated with higher mortality in trauma patients

Prehospital intravenous fluid administration is associated with higher mortality in trauma patients

Prehospital Intravenous Fluid Administration Is Associated With Higher Mortality in Trauma Patients

Prehospital Intravenous Fluid Administration Is Associated With Higher Mortality in Trauma Patients

Prehospital intravenous fluid administration is associated with higher mortality in trauma patients

Prehospital intravenous fluid administration is associated with higher mortality in trauma patients

Prehospital intravenous fluid is associated with increased survival in trauma patients

Delivery of intravenous crystalloid fluids (IVF) remains a tradition-based priority during prehospital resuscitation of trauma patients. Hypotensive and targeted resuscitation algorithms have been shown to improve patient outcomes. We hypothesized that receiving any prehospital IVF is associated with increased survival in trauma patients compared with receiving no prehospital IVF. Prospective data from 10 Level 1 trauma centers were collected. Patient demographics, prehospital IVF volume, prehospital and emergency department vital signs, lifesaving interventions, laboratory values, outcomes, and complications were collected and analyzed. Patients who did or did not receive prehospital IVF were compared. Tests for nonparametric data were used to assess significant differences between groups (p ≤ 0.05). Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the independent influence of IVF on outcome and complications. The study population consisted of 1,245 trauma patients; 45 were excluded owing to incomplete data; 84% (n = 1,009) received prehospital IVF, and 16% (n = 191) did not. There was no difference between the groups with respect to sex, age, and Injury Severity Score (ISS). The on-scene systolic blood pressure was lower in the IVF group (110 mm Hg vs. 100 mm Hg, p < 0.04) and did not change significantly after IVF, measured at emergency department admission (110 mm Hg vs. 105 mm Hg, p = 0.05). Hematocrit/hemoglobin, fibrinogen, and platelets were lower (p < 0.05), and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio and partial thromboplastin time were higher (p < 0.001) in the IVF group. The IVF group received a median fluid volume of 700 mL (interquartile range, 300-1,300). The Cox regression revealed that prehospital fluid administration was associated with increased survival (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.98; p = 0.03). Site differences in ISS and fluid volumes were demonstrated (p < 0.001). Prehospital IVF volumes commonly used by PRospective Observational Multicenter Massive Transfusion Study (PROMMTT) investigators do not result in increased systolic blood pressure but are associated with decreased in-hospital mortality in trauma patients compared with patients who did not receive prehospital IVF.

Walking between the Drops: Israeli Defense Forces’ Fluid Resuscitation Protocol

BackgroundCurrent research in trauma resuscitation indicates that it is important to strike a balance between withholding intravenous fluid therapy, on one hand, and giving too much, on the other. The Israel Defense Forces’ former protocol for prehospital fluid administration in the trauma setting was intended to navigate this balancing act. It turned out that the protocol was not being appropriately implemented in field conditions. ObjectivesWe describe our process improvement, which resulted in our revised protocol. Our goal in drafting the new protocol was to achieve yet another balance, this time between the recommendations derived from accumulating science, and the efficacy with which they could likely be implemented in the field. DiscussionWe review the available research in prehospital fluid administration, and then develop our current protocol. Per our a priori requirements, the protocol is unified in that medical personnel from a very wide spectrum of caregivers can apply it; and it is appropriate for both short evacuation time scenarios (e.g., low-intensity conflicts) and lengthier evacuation scenarios (e.g., high-intensity conflicts). ConclusionSurvival is likely improved if guidelines do not add unnecessary complexity and are easily implemented. We believe that the current protocol is suitable for the large majority of trauma patients, and helps guide providers toward a primary decision-point regarding fluid administration. Nonetheless, as long as only coarse clinical parameters for identifying shock are available, and data regarding optimal treatment are conflicting, offering truly balanced fluid resuscitation guidelines is a lot like walking between the drops.

Hyperfibrinolysis at admission is an uncommon but highly lethal event associated with shock and prehospital fluid administration

Hyperfibrinolysis (HF) has been reported to occur in a range of 2% to 34% of trauma patients. Using rapid thromboelastography (r-TEG), we hypothesized that HF is (1) rarely present at admission on patients with severe injury and (2) associated with crystalloid hemodilution. To further strengthen this hypothesis, we created an in vitro hemodilution model to improve our mechanistic understanding of the early HF. The trauma registry was queried for patients who were our highest-level trauma activations and admitted directly from the scene (October 2009-October 2010). HF was defined as more than 7.5% amplitude reduction 30 minutes after maximal amplitude (LY30). Using r-TEG, we then created an in vitro hemodilution model (0.9% NS) with and without tissue injury (addition of tissue factor and tissue plasminogen activator) to identify crystalloid volumes and injury needed to achieve specific LY30 values. Admission r-TEG values were captured on 1996 consecutive admissions. Only 41 patients (2%) had HF at admission r-TEG. The groups were similar in demographics. Compared with patients without HF, the HF group had more prehospital crystalloid (1.5 vs. 0.5 L), higher median Injury Severity Score (25 vs. 16), greater admission base deficit (20 vs. 2), and higher mortality (76% vs. 10%); all p < 0.001. Controlling for Injury Severity Score and base deficit on arrival, prehospital fluid was associated with a significant increase in likelihood of HF. In fact, each additional liter of crystalloid was associated with a 15% increased odds of HF. The in vitro model found that hemodilution to 15% of baseline and tissue factor + tissue plasminogen activator was required to achieve an LY30 of 50%. Although uncommon immediately after injury, HF is associated with prehospital crystalloid administration and shock at admission and is highly lethal. Our in vitro model confirms that tissue injury and significant crystalloid hemodilution result in severe and immediate HF.

The Alfred pre-hospital fluid formula for major burns

Background The Alfred pre-hospital fluid isotonic crystalloid resuscitation formula for major burns (body weight (kg) × %TBSA burnt = mls in the first 2 h) was adopted by Ambulance Victoria in 2007 for the early and consistent correction of fluid deficit in major burns patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associated change in pre-hospital fluid administration. Methods A retrospective explicit chart review of patient records was conducted of all patients with major burns presenting to The Alfred Emergency & Trauma Centre over a 10 year period. Patient demographics, fluid resuscitation and outcomes in the period before the introduction of the new formula were compared to those in the post-introduction period. Results There were 126 patients with major burns (≥20% total body surface area burnt) included in the study. The median fluid volume administration pre-hospital after introduction of The Alfred formula was 0.35 (0.22–0.44) mL/kg/%TBSA burnt, which was significantly higher than 0.14 (0.04–0.26) mL/kg/%TBSA administered in the prior period ( p = 0.013). There was no significant change in physiological endpoints associated with the increased volume. At 24 h, the volume of fluid administered in patients when The Alfred formula was used was 4.9 ± 1.6 mL/kg/%TBSA, which was not significantly higher than the volume administered before 2007 of 4.8 ± 2.2 mL/%TBSA/kg ( p = 0.802). Discussion The Alfred pre-hospital fluid formula has resulted in patients receiving significantly more fluids early, although still below volumes suggested by the Parkland formula. There were no adverse effects of this increased volume detected over the study period. The Alfred pre-hospital fluid formula appears to be safe and more effective in delivering fluid volumes predicted by the current ‘gold standard’.

Prehospital Intravenous Fluid Administration Is Associated With Higher Mortality in Trauma Patients

Prehospital intravenous (IV) fluid administration is common in trauma patients, although little evidence supports this practice. We hypothesized that trauma patients who received prehospital IV fluids have higher mortality than trauma patients who did not receive IV fluids in the prehospital setting. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients from the National Trauma Data Bank. Multiple logistic regression was used with mortality as the primary outcome measure. We compared patients with versus without prehospital IV fluid administration, using patient demographics, mechanism, physiologic and anatomic injury severity, and other prehospital procedures as covariates. Subset analysis was performed based on mechanism (blunt/penetrating), hypotension, immediate surgery, severe head injury, and injury severity score. A total of 776,734 patients were studied. Approximately half (49.3%) received prehospital IV. Overall mortality was 4.6%. Unadjusted mortality was significantly higher in patients receiving prehospital IV fluids (4.8% vs. 4.5%, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that patients receiving IV fluids were significantly more likely to die (odds ratio [OR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.17). The association was identified in nearly all subsets of trauma patients. It is especially marked in patients with penetrating mechanism (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08–1.45), hypotension (OR 1.44, 95% CI1.29–1.59), severe head injury (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.17–1.54), and patients undergoing immediate surgery (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.22–1.50). The harm associated with prehospital IV fluid administration is significant for victims of trauma. The routine use of prehospital IV fluid administration for all trauma patients should be discouraged.

A Proactive Approach to the Coagulopathy of Trauma: The Rationale and Guidelines for Treatment

Prevalence of coagulopathy in trauma According to the British Committee for Standards in Haematology and the American College of Pathologists, prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin...

Reanalysis of Prehospital Intravenous Fluid Administration in Patients with Penetrating Truncal Injury and Field Hypotension

In 1994, Bickell et al. published a prospective study recommending restricting prehospital intravenous fluids (IVF) to less than 100 cc in patients with penetrating truncal injuries and field hypotension, reporting a 30 per cent mortality with IVF restriction and a 38 per cent mortality with liberal IVF use. However, since this study, few papers have investigated whether emergency medical systems (EMS) adhere to these IVF guidelines. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a policy of IVF restriction is being followed and whether the volume of prehospital and emergency department (ED) IVF affects outcome in patients with penetrating truncal injury and field hypotension at a Level I trauma center in Los Angeles County. A retrospective analysis of a trauma database from 1998 to 2005 of all patients with penetrating truncal injury and field hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg) was performed. Multiple variables, including originating EMS agency, mechanism of injury, transport time, Injury Severity Score, field and ED vital signs, and IVF volume infused, complications, and mortality were compared. One hundred ninety-four patients with a median age of 26 years with penetrating truncal injury and field hypotension were analyzed. The most common mechanisms of injury were gunshot (73%) and stab (22%) wounds. The median field systolic blood pressure was 80 mm Hg. The median transport time was 11 minutes. The median prehospital IVF was 500 cc with only 25 per cent receiving less than 100 cc of IVF. There were no differences in the amount of IVF administered by the degree of field hypotension or by originating EMS agency. Median ED IVF was 1000 cc. The overall mortality rate was 25 per cent. When a comparison was made of those receiving less than 100 cc prehospital IVF in comparison to those receiving greater than 100 cc, there were no differences detected with respect to median age, systolic blood pressure, Injury Severity Score, transport time, or morbidity rate. The mortality rate was 21 per cent in the group that received greater than 100 cc of IVF in comparison to a 37 per cent mortality rate in the group that received less than 100 cc IVF (P = 0.04). On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for Trauma Injury Severity Score, there were no differences in survival by the amount of prehospital or ED IVF administered. It appears that the recommendations of IVF restriction for patients with penetrating truncal injuries and field hypotension are not being followed by Los Angeles County EMS. There were no differences in survival with respect to the amount of prehospital or ED IVF. Given the retrospective nature of this study, further investigation is needed to define the role of prehospital IVF resuscitation in these patients.

Hypotensive Hemostatis (Permissive Hypotension) for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Are We Really in Control?

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a protocol for permissive hypotension was feasible for patients admitted with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA). It was aimed to limit prehospital intravenous fluid administration to 500 mL and to maintain systolic blood pressure at a range of 50 to 100 mm Hg following admission, using nitrates when indicated. The diagnosis of RAAA was confirmed with sonography, and all patients with uncontrolled hypovolemic shock immediately underwent open aneurysm repair (OAR). In all other cases, computed tomographic (CT) angiography was performed to determine the eligibility for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). From January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2006, 95 patients with a suspected RAAA were admitted. In 77 patients, the diagnosis of RAAA was confirmed. Twenty-eight cases (36%) underwent OAR for uncontrolled hemodynamic instability. Following CT-angiographic evaluation, 25 of the remaining 49 cases were considered unsuitable for EVAR and subsequently underwent OAR. In 24 of 77 cases (31%), the RAAA was treated with EVAR. Preoperative systolic blood pressure recordings in EVAR patients showed median values (+/- SD) of 98 (+/- 34.7) mm Hg in the emergency department and 114 (+/- 26.2) mm Hg in the operating theater. The desired systolic blood pressure range of 50 to 100 mm Hg was reached in 11 of 24 cases (46%). In 13 of 24 cases (54%), a systolic blood pressure higher than 100 mm Hg was recorded for a period longer than 60 minutes. The 30-day mortality was 32 of 77 (42%), with 6 of 24 (25%) in the EVAR group and 26 of 53 (49%) in the OAR group. This is the first published series of RAAA in which a protocol of permissive hypotension has been adopted. The concept appeared to be feasible in the majority of cases. Protocol violations were sparse (n = 5). Uncontrolled hypotension occurred in 36% (28 of 77) of all patients, and the desired systolic blood pressure range was achieved in 46% (11 of 24) of the EVAR patients.