Indications

Due to the mixed literature supporting the use of REBOA, it is imperative that REBOA only be considered in the appropriate patients with access to rapid definitive hemorrhage control, placed by trained providers, and with medical/surgical support personnel facile not only in setting up and managing REBOA and its required equipment, but also the care of the patient (both while the REBOA is in place and after removal of the balloon and its arterial sheath). REBOA is only a bridge to definitive hemorrhage control; therefore, all these variables necessitate consideration.

It is also important to be mindful that REBOA is a temporizing measure, and once the balloon for aortic occlusion is inflated, surgical capabilities must be available with definitive hemorrhagic control achieved within a maximum of 60 minutes since inflation (Partial: Zone 1 –2 hours, Zone 3 – 4 hours).