CPR-REBOA: Improving Outcome of Prehospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation With Balloon Occlusion of the Descending Aorta

Unexpected cardiac arrest is a devastating event with a high mortality and morbidity. Half of the patients who survive to ICU admission ultimately die because of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). As outcome after cardiac arrest is depending on time and amount of oxygen delivery to heart and brain, preserving myocardial and cerebral perfusion in the event of cardiac arrest by the means of effective cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is of utmost importance. During CPR Coronary perfusion pressure is a significant predictor of increased rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge, while cerebral perfusion pressure is crucial for good neurologic outcome. The absence of ROSC despite prolonged high quality and efficient initial basic life support (BLS) followed by traditional ALS ends finally in neuronal damage and death.

For those patients not qualifying for eCPR or in areas where this highly invasive approach is not readily available, existing efforts to reduce mortality and morbidity focus on rapid recognition of cardiac arrest, initiation of basic and advanced life support (ALS), and optimization of post-arrest care.

Clamping the descending aorta during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should redistribute the blood flow towards brain and heart. Animal models of continuous balloon occlusion of the aorta in non-traumatic cardiac arrest have shown meaningful increases in coronary artery blood flow, coronary artery perfusion pressure and carotid blood flow, leading to improved rates of ROSC, 48h-survival and neurological function.

In humans, occlusion of the aorta using a REBOA catheter in the management of non-compressible abdominal or pelvic hemorrhage has shown improvements in hemodynamic profiles and has proved to be feasible in both, clinical and preclinical settings for trauma patients in hemorrhagic shock. These promising data provide an opportunity to improve outcome after cardiac arrest in humans too. For an ongoing study evaluating its feasibility, the investigators have developed a protocol for the reliable and safe placement of a REBOA-catheter during cardiac arrest in a clinical setting (see ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03664557).

Damage to heart and brain from lack of oxygen supply occurs during the first minutes following cardiac arrest. It is therefore crucial to apply any measure to improve efficacy of CPR early in the course of events and therapy. After proving feasibility in a clinical setting in the trial mentioned above, the next logical step and specific goal of this study is to transfer this protocol to the preclinical setting, and to investigate the effect of temporary endovascular occlusion of the descending aorta on the efficacy of CPR early in the course of treatment of out-of hospital cardiac arrest by means of an increase in blood pressure.