Treatment of intra-abdominal haemorrhagic shock by Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA).

Purpose: Haemorrhagic shock is commonly encountered in the emergency room and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. For intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal bleeding, treatment usually requires either surgery or an interventional radiologic procedure. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) has already been described for pelvic fractures and intra-abdominal haemorrhages. In this case report, we present the use of REBOA in a patient admitted for haemorrhagic shock due to a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm.

Case Report: We describe the case of a 35-year-old male with suspected massive pulmonary embolism. Prior to diagnostic confirmation by CT-scan, the patient suffered several cardiac arrests. CT-scan revealed a massive haemoperitoneum secondary to a ruptured aneurysm of the splenic artery. Because of refractory hypotension despite maximal conventional therapy, we used REBOA before patient transfer to the operating room for splenectomy.

Conclusions: This case underlines the feasibility of REBOA and discusses its role in uncontrollable intra-abdominal haemorrhagic shock.