Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the inferior vena cava is made hemodynamically possible by concomitant endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta-A porcine study.

Background: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the vena cava inferior (REBOVC) may provide a minimal invasive alternative for hepatic vascular and inferior vena cava isolation in severe retrohepatic bleeding. However, circulatory stability may be compromised by the obstruction of venous return. The aim was to explore which combinations of arterial and venous endovascular balloon occlusions, and the Pringle maneuver, are hemodynamically possible in a normovolemic pig model. The hypothesis was that lower-body venous blood pooling from REBOVC can be avoided by prior resuscitative endovascular aortic balloon occlusion (REBOA).

Methods: Nine anesthetized, ventilated, instrumented, and normovolemic pigs were used to explore the hemodynamic effects of 11 combinations of REBOA and REBOVC, with or without the Pringle maneuver, in randomized order. The occlusions were performed for 5 minutes but interrupted if systolic blood pressure dropped below 40 mm Hg. Hemodynamic variables were measured.

Results: Proximal REBOVC, isolated or in combination with other methods of occlusion, caused severely decreased systemic blood pressure and cardiac output, and had to be terminated before 5 minutes. The decreases in systemic blood pressure and cardiac output were avoided by REBOA at the same or a more proximal level. The Pringle maneuver had similar hemodynamic effects to proximal REBOVC.

Conclusion: A combination of REBOA and REBOVC provides hemodynamic stability, in contrast to REBOVC alone or with the Pringle maneuver, and may be a possible adjunct in severe retrohepatic venous bleedings.