Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2025
Complete and Partial Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta for Hemorrhagic Shock
Published on: May 19, 2022
REBOA in trauma and the risk of venous thromboembolic complications: A matched-cohort study
Yu-Tung Wu1, Chance Nichols2, Chih-Ying Chien3
1Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, LAC+USC Medical Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.
Background:
Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) has been used as a damage control procedure in trauma patients. We hypothesized that REBOA increases risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications.
Methods:
This was an American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS-TQIP) database study. Excluded were transfers, deaths within 24 h, and severe head injuries. Included were trauma patients receiving REBOA within 4 h from arrival. Outcomes in the two groups were compared after using propensity score matching (PSM) for demographic and clinical characteristics, body area abbreviated injury scale, injury severity score, pelvis and lower extremity fractures, angiographic intervention, preperitoneal pelvic packing, pharmacological VTE prophylaxis, laparotomy, laparotomy and specific orthopedic procedures.
Results:
After PSM, 339 REBOA patients were matched with 663 patients with No REBOA. REBOA patients were significantly more likely to develop pulmonary embolism (PE) (5.3% vs. 2.7%, p = .037) and VTE (14.7% vs. 10.0%, p = .025).
Conclusion:
REBOA is associated with an increased risk of PE and VTE complications. Patients managed with REBOA should receive adequate thromboprophylaxis and be monitored closely for VTE complications.
