Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in the Management of a Gunshot Wound and Rupture of the Uterus

Trauma is the leading cause of non-obstetrical maternal death. A 19-year-old woman at 20 weeks' gestation was brought to the emergency room after suffering a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen. Upon arrival, she was hemodynamically stable and imaging was obtained. CT revealed a rupture of the uterus with a partially extrauterine fetus, and the patient was immediately taken for an explorative laparotomy. Prior to the surgical start, the patient's blood pressure declined and, subsequently, a resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) was placed. The fetus and placenta were delivered and both uterine arteries and the inferior epigastric artery were ligated. Following an unremarkable postoperative course, she was discharged on hospital day 17. The mainstay approach to trauma in pregnancy should be to utilize focused imaging techniques to assess extent of trauma and provide adequate circulation to vital organs. Aortic balloon occlusion may be considered as a viable strategy to enhance resuscitation.