A Novel REBOA Training Curriculum for Emergency Medicine Residents: A Pilot Study

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is a potentially life-saving intervention to treat noncompressible torso hemorrhage. Traditionally, REBOA use has been limited to surgeons. However, emergency physicians are often the first point-of-contact and are well-versed in obtaining rapid vascular access and damage control resuscitation, making them ideal candidates for REBOA training.

To fill this gap, we designed and evaluated a REBOA training curriculum for emergency medicine (EM) residents.

Participants enrolled in an accredited 4-year EM residency program (N = 11) completed a 12-hour REBOA training course. Day 1 included lectures, case studies, and hands-on training using REBOA task trainers and perfused cadavers. Day 2 included additional practice and competency evaluations. Assessments included a 25-item written knowledge exam, decision-making on case studies, REBOA placement success, and time-to-placement. Participants returned at 4 months to assess long-term retention. Data were analyzed using t-tests and nonparametric statistics at p < 0.05.

Scores on a 25-item multiple choice test significantly increased from pre-training (65% ± 5%) to post-training (92% ± 1%), p < 0.001. On Day 2, participants scored 100% on correct recognition of REBOA indications and scored 100% on correct physical placement of REBOA. Exit surveys indicated increased preparedness, confidence, and support for incorporating this course into EM training. Most importantly, REBOA knowledge, correct recognition of REBOA indications, and correct REBOA placement skills were retained by the majority of participants at 4 months.

This course effectively teaches EM residents the requisite skills for REBOA competence and proper placement. This study could be replicated at other facilities with larger, more diverse samples, aiming to expand the use of REBOA in emergency physicians and reducing preventable deaths in trauma.