Use of non-pneumatic antishock garments for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

Two cases of near-fatal aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) are described which were successfully stabilized by a new principle for exerting abdominal compression, the non-pneumatic medical antishock trousers (NP-MAST). Obviously, the compression obtained with the NP-MAST suffices for this dramatic emergency. Moreover, compared with pneumatic antishock garments (PASG), the NP-MAST has the advantage of being light, independent of flight height and unable to produce dangerously high pressures. Moreover, it contains no manometers, which could detract the doctor's attention from more important measures. The need for endotracheal intubation in advance to application of any kind of abdominal compression (PASG or NP-MAST) is stressed.