Vascular Trauma

Background

Vascular trauma is among the most time-critical problems in surgery, with risk of exsanguination, ischemia, compartment syndrome, limb loss, and death. (Rutherford 2018)

Epidemiology and mechanisms

• Vascular injury occurs in a minority of major trauma admissions, but disproportionately contributes to preventable death due to hemorrhage. (Fox 2005)📄
• Civilian vascular trauma remains predominantly penetrating in many regions, while iatrogenic vascular injury (arterial access, endovascular and cardiac procedures) is increasingly common. (Branco 2014)📄
• Mortality is highest in non-compressible torso hemorrhage and major junctional injuries; outcomes depend on rapid hemorrhage control and access to definitive repair. (Rutherford 2018)

Modern management paradigm (endovascular trauma management (EVTM) and damage control)

• Contemporary care integrates open, endovascular, and hybrid options, aiming for rapid hemorrhage control with staged definitive repair ('damage control vascular surgery'). [4]📄
• Endovascular adjuncts (embolization, balloon occlusion, stent-grafts) and hybrid workflows are now central to many high-acuity scenarios. See 16EndoVascular Trauma Management (EVTM). [4]📄
• For thoracic aortic trauma and selected junctional injuries, outcomes have improved with endovascular-first strategies in appropriate anatomy and physiology. (Riambau 2017)📄

Etiology and Mechanisms

Table 15.2. Classification of Vascular Trauma by Mechanism (Rutherford 2018)

Note: Iatrogenic vascular trauma is a growing category due to increasing endovascular interventions (Branco 2014)📄.

Pathophysiology

• Hemorrhage: rapid exsanguination → hypovolemic shock, coagulopathy, acidosis.
• Ischemia: arterial occlusion → tissue necrosis, compartment syndrome, limb loss.
• AV fistula: arterial pressure transmitted to venous system → high-output cardiac failure, venous hypertension (Rutherford 2018).
• Pseudoaneurysm: risk of rupture, embolization.

The lethal triad of trauma (acidosis, hypothermia, coagulopathy) is exacerbated by uncontrolled vascular bleeding (Rotondo 1993)📄.

Hard Signs of Vascular Injury

Table 15.1. Clinical signs and an evidence-based evaluation pathway for suspected vascular injury (Feliciano 2011)📄

Practical evaluation algorithm (stable patient)

1. Identify hard signs → proceed directly to hemorrhage control and definitive management (OR/hybrid suite) without delaying for imaging. (Feliciano 2011)📄
2. If soft signs or proximity mechanism → obtain ABI/API.
3. ABI/API < 0.9 or abnormal Doppler/pressure asymmetry → CTA to define injury and plan repair. (Feliciano 2011)📄 (Aboyans 2012)📄
4. Normal ABI/API (≥0.9) and no progressive symptoms → observation with serial neurovascular exams and repeat ABI/API if symptoms evolve. (Feliciano 2011)📄

High-risk pitfall

• Knee dislocation has a substantial risk of popliteal artery injury; normal pulses do not exclude injury because of collateral flow or transient reduction. Maintain a low threshold for ABI/API and CTA based on local protocols. (Medina 2014)📄

Diagnostics

Diagnostic priorities

• Diagnose life-threatening hemorrhage first (hemodynamics, ongoing blood loss), then define arterial/venous injury anatomy for repair planning. (Rutherford 2018)
• Separate patients into unstable (needs immediate hemorrhage control) vs stable (can undergo imaging). (Feliciano 2011)📄

Preferred tests by clinical scenario

Hemodynamically unstable or hard signs

• Proceed directly to operative/hybrid management; imaging should not delay hemorrhage control. (Feliciano 2011)📄

Hemodynamically stable with suspected extremity vascular injury (no hard signs)

• ankle-brachial index (ABI)/API is the recommended screening test.

• ABI/API < 0.9 → obtain computed tomography angiography (CTA). (Feliciano 2011)📄 (Aboyans 2012)📄
  • ABI/API ≥ 0.9 with reassuring exam → observe with serial exams (repeat ABI/API if symptoms change). (Feliciano 2011)📄
  • See 10PAD for ABI measurement technique and interpretation. (Aboyans 2012)📄

Imaging modalities

• CT angiography (CTA): first-line anatomic test in stable patients; rapid, widely available, and sufficient for most operative or endovascular planning. (Feliciano 2011)📄
• Duplex ultrasound (DUS): useful for targeted extremity evaluation and follow-up; limited for deep torso/junctional vessels and in extensive soft tissue injury. (Rutherford 2018)
• Digital subtraction angiography (DSA): diagnostic and therapeutic; preferred when an endovascular intervention is likely (embolization, stent-graft, balloon occlusion) or when CTA is equivocal and the patient can be managed in a hybrid/IR environment. (White 2006)📄

• See 3Chapter 3 for angiography fundamentals. (White 2006)📄

Principles of Damage Control Vascular Surgery

Core concept

Damage control vascular surgery prioritizes rapid hemorrhage control and restoration of critical perfusion, deferring definitive reconstruction until physiology is corrected (hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy). (Rotondo 1993)📄 (Rutherford 2018)

Stepwise damage-control sequence

1. Immediate hemorrhage control (compressible bleeding)

• Direct pressure, wound packing, junctional devices, and tourniquets.
  • Early tourniquet application for severe extremity hemorrhage improves survival when used appropriately. (Kragh 2009)

1. Immediate hemorrhage control (non-compressible torso hemorrhage)

• Endovascular balloon occlusion (e.g., 16resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA)) as a bridge to definitive hemorrhage control in appropriately selected patients and systems. [4]📄 (Morrison 2014)📄 (Castellini 2021)
  • REBOA practice should follow system-level governance and training standards. (Bulger 2019)📄

1. Temporize perfusion and shorten operative time

• Temporary intravascular shunts (TIVS) to restore limb perfusion when definitive repair is unsafe or delayed (polytrauma, ortho fixation first, transfer). (Fox 2005)📄
  • Clamp/ligate selectively when permissible (e.g., select venous injuries) as a last resort for uncontrolled hemorrhage. (Rutherford 2018)

1. Staged definitive reconstruction

• Definitive arterial/venous repair after resuscitation endpoints improve (warming, correction of coagulopathy, reduced vasopressor requirement). (Rotondo 1993)📄

REBOA: practical safety principles

• Use REBOA as a bridge, not definitive hemorrhage control. (Morrison 2014)📄
• Registry data and meta-analyses demonstrate feasibility but also emphasize complication risk and the need for appropriate indications and rapid definitive hemostasis pathways. (Du 2016) (Castellini 2021)
• Consider partial or intermittent REBOA to reduce distal ischemia burden in selected scenarios when expertise and monitoring are available. (Sadeghi 2018)
• When comparing REBOA with resuscitative thoracotomy (RT), observational data and registry analyses suggest outcome differences are highly dependent on patient selection, injury patterns, and timing. (Brenner 2018)📄 (Cralley 2026)

Open Surgical Approaches

• Primary repair: small lacerations.
• Vein patch angioplasty: intimal or partial wall defects.
• Interposition graft: reversed saphenous vein graft is gold standard (Feliciano 2011)📄.
• Bypass grafting: when segment loss is long; prosthetic used if vein unavailable (Feliciano 2011)📄.
• Ligation: only for uncontrollable hemorrhage in non-critical vessels (e.g., some venous injuries) (Rutherford 2018).

Endovascular Approaches

Where endovascular therapy adds the most value

Endovascular techniques are particularly useful for junctional and torso vessels where exposure is difficult and time to hemorrhage control is critical, and in patients with severe physiologic derangement where open repair is poorly tolerated. [4]📄 (Branco 2014)📄

Common endovascular options

• Covered stent-grafts

• Typical targets: subclavian/axillary, iliac, select carotid injuries, and blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI). (Branco 2014)📄 (Riambau 2017)📄
  • Key requirement: adequate landing zones and ability to maintain antiplatelet therapy when needed.

• Embolization (coils/plugs/particles)

• Commonly used for pelvic and solid-organ hemorrhage control as part of damage control resuscitation. (Coccolini 2017)📄
  • See 16EVTM for embolization workflows in hybrid trauma systems. [4]📄

• Balloon occlusion (resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) or selective balloons)

• Bridge to definitive hemorrhage control in non-compressible hemorrhage, within system governance standards. (Bulger 2019)📄 (Du 2016)
  • Caution: Recent randomized evidence (UK-REBOA trial) suggests that the addition of REBOA to standard care may increase mortality in some trauma systems, highlighting the necessity for strict patient selection and rapid transition to definitive repair (Jansen 2023).

Patient selection and practical contraindications

• Avoid delaying hemorrhage control in unstable patients when endovascular capability is not immediately available (conversion to open should be anticipated). (Rutherford 2018)
• Consider contamination, soft tissue destruction, and infection risk when selecting stent-grafts in penetrating wounds. (If long-term infection risk is high, open reconstruction may be preferred.) (Chakf 2020)

Traumatic aortic injury (BTAI): current principles (overview)

• thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is generally preferred for grade II–IV injuries when anatomy is suitable, with anti-impulse therapy as early management. (Riambau 2017)📄 (Isselbacher 2022)
• Grade I injuries (intimal tears) are typically managed conservatively with medical therapy and serial imaging (Isselbacher 2022).
• Left subclavian management should be individualized; see 6Thoracic Aortic and guidance on subclavian coverage strategies. (Matsumura 2009)📄

Hybrid Approaches

• Combination of open surgical techniques (e.g., laparotomy) and endovascular procedures (e.g., pelvic bleeding controlled with embolization and external fixation).
• Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is increasingly utilized as a hybrid bridge to definitive hemorrhage control, with emerging evidence supporting its application in civilian pre-hospital settings (Caicedo 2022).
• Increasing use in dedicated hybrid operating rooms (ORs) [4]📄. See 16EVTM for hybrid trauma surgery protocols.

Complications

Early complications (hours–days)

• Hemorrhage or re-bleeding (suture line failure, shunt dislodgement). (Rutherford 2018)
• Thrombosis/embolization of repair or shunt (acute ischemia). (Rutherford 2018)
• Reperfusion injury, rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia, and compartment syndrome after revascularization. (Rutherford 2018)
• Access complications from endovascular procedures (hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, limb ischemia). (Rutherford 2018)
• resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA)-specific: distal ischemia and metabolic derangement risk increases with occlusion time; registry data highlight the importance of strict indications and rapid transition to definitive hemorrhage control. (Du 2016)

Late complications (weeks–years)

• Pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula. (Rutherford 2018)
• Graft stenosis/occlusion and chronic limb ischemia. (Rutherford 2018)
• Graft/endograft infection (particularly concerning after penetrating trauma with contamination or prolonged soft-tissue compromise). (Chakf 2020)
• thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR)-related: endoleak, migration, and reintervention (requires surveillance). (Isselbacher 2022)📄

Follow-up

Goals of follow-up

• Detect repair failure (stenosis, thrombosis, pseudoaneurysm, endoleak), manage wound/soft tissue recovery, and support functional limb outcomes. (Rutherford 2018)

Suggested surveillance by repair type

Extremity open repair (primary repair, patch, vein bypass/interposition)

• Clinical exam and noninvasive testing, including ankle-brachial index (ABI) and duplex ultrasound (DUS), should be performed early after repair; interval follow-up is then determined by the injury pattern and reconstruction complexity. (Rutherford 2018) (Gornik 2024)

Peripheral covered stent-grafts (e.g., subclavian/axillary/iliac)

• Clinical exam plus DUS or computed tomography angiography (CTA) as anatomy dictates; ensure surveillance is feasible before choosing a stent-graft strategy. (Rutherford 2018) (Gornik 2024)

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI)

• CTA surveillance is required to assess for endoleak and device-related complications. For BTAI, imaging is typically recommended at 1 month and 12 months post-repair, with subsequent interval imaging based on institutional protocol and device stability. (Isselbacher 2022)📄 (Neschis 2008)

Antithrombotic considerations

• Antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation decisions depend on repair type, bleeding risk, and concomitant injuries.
• Stent-grafts and bypasses commonly require antiplatelet therapy to maintain patency; in the absence of contraindications, long-term antiplatelet therapy is recommended to reduce the risk of major adverse limb events. (Rutherford 2018) (Gornik 2024)
• Ensure antithrombotic regimens are compatible with the patient's intracranial or solid organ injury profile. (Rutherford 2018)

Quality improvement and outcomes tracking

• Participation in regional/national registries supports benchmarking and continuous improvement for vascular trauma pathways (including endovascular adjunct use and reintervention). (Vascunet Collaboration 2019) (Swedvasc Annual 2022) (Mani 2020)📄

Guidelines and Evidence

Key guidance documents (high yield)

• Extremity vascular trauma evaluation and management principles (hard signs → immediate management; ankle-brachial index (ABI)/API-based screening; computed tomography angiography (CTA)/digital subtraction angiography (DSA) planning) are summarized in EAST guidance and remain foundational. (Feliciano 2011)📄
• Pelvic trauma hemorrhage control (including embolization pathways) is addressed in WSES guidance. (Coccolini 2017)📄
• resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) governance and system implementation in civilian trauma systems is outlined in the ACS-COT/NAEMSP joint statement (patient selection, training, QA). (Bulger 2019)📄
• Descending thoracic aorta disease/thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) guidance informs BTAI technical decisions and complication mitigation strategies. (Riambau 2017)📄
• ACC/AHA aortic disease guideline provides contemporary standards relevant to TEVAR imaging surveillance and aortic management principles applicable to traumatic aortic injury follow-up. (Isselbacher 2022)📄

Cross-references

• See 16EVTM for hybrid workflows, balloon occlusion, and endovascular adjunct integration into damage control resuscitation. [4]📄

Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) management

Injury grading

• Grade I: Intimal tear
• Grade II: Intramural hematoma
• Grade III: Pseudoaneurysm
• Grade IV: Rupture (Neschis 2008)

Initial management (all grades)

• Anti-impulse therapy (typically beta-blockade) to reduce aortic wall stress while planning definitive management of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI). (Neschis 2008) (Isselbacher 2022)📄

Definitive management

• Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is generally preferred for grade II–IV BTAI when anatomy is suitable (Riambau 2017)📄 (Isselbacher 2022)📄 (Wagner 2025).
• Grade I injuries and select Grade II injuries (specifically intramural hematomas) are often managed non-operatively with strict hemodynamic control and interval imaging, as meta-analysis data indicates low rates of disease progression and aortic-related mortality in these cohorts (Riambau 2017)📄 (Romijn 2025).
• In stable patients with major concomitant injuries, delayed repair may be appropriate to optimize physiology and reduce perioperative risk; long-term cohort data supports the safety and efficacy of this individualized timing (Neschis 2008) (Riambau 2017)📄 (Prendes 2026).

Technical considerations

• Sizing/oversizing: avoid excessive oversizing in young, small aortas. (Riambau 2017)📄
• Left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage: may be required for an adequate proximal seal; selective revascularization is recommended in higher-risk situations (e.g., left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft, dominant left vertebral, dialysis access, upper extremity ischemia risk). (Matsumura 2009)📄
• Spinal cord ischemia (SCI) mitigation: minimize coverage length where feasible and avoid sustained hypotension. (Riambau 2017)📄

Surveillance

• Computed tomography angiography (CTA) surveillance after TEVAR is recommended to assess endoleak, migration, and device-related complications (typical schedule: early post-op and interval follow-up based on institutional protocol). (Isselbacher 2022)📄 (Neschis 2008)

Temporary intravascular shunts (TIVS): indications, technique, and outcomes

Indications for Temporary Shunts

Temporary intravascular shunts (TIVS) are employed to restore limb perfusion rapidly in the damage control surgery (DCS) setting when immediate definitive repair is not feasible (Rossaint 2023). Key indications include: (Fox 2005)📄

• Combined injuries: Patients with concomitant orthopedic injuries requiring fracture stabilization before vascular reconstruction
• Physiologic exhaustion: Hypothermic, acidotic, or coagulopathic patients in the lethal triad who cannot tolerate prolonged vascular reconstruction (Rossaint 2023)
• Prolonged transfer: Patients requiring inter-facility transfer to definitive vascular care
• Mass casualty scenarios: Triage situations where multiple patients require sequential care

Technical Aspects

• Shunt selection: Use appropriately sized silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) shunts; size should match the vessel diameter to prevent dislodgement or thrombosis. Javid, Pruitt-Inahara, and Argyle shunts are commonly employed (Fox 2005)📄.
• Fixation: Secure shunts with vessel loops, umbilical tapes, or proprietary securing devices. Inadequate fixation risks dislodgement and catastrophic hemorrhage.
• Anticoagulation: Systemic anticoagulation is generally avoided in polytrauma patients due to bleeding risk. Local heparinized saline flush (100 units/mL) is used for shunt priming. Some centers advocate for low-dose systemic heparin (3000–5000 units) if no contraindications exist (Fox 2005)📄.
• Dwell time: Shunts may remain in place for 6–24 hours, with some series reporting successful patency beyond 48 hours (Fox 2005)📄. Definitive repair should be performed once physiologic derangements are corrected and competing injuries are stabilized.

Outcomes

Data from military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan demonstrate limb salvage rates exceeding 90% when temporary shunts are employed appropriately, compared to 50–60% with ligation alone (Rasmussen 2011). Civilian series confirm these benefits, with shunt patency rates of 85–95% and amputation rates of 5–15% when combined with staged definitive repair (Fox 2005)📄.

Integration with endovascular trauma management (EVTM): TIVS can be combined with endovascular techniques such as resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) to prioritize proximal hemorrhage control while maintaining distal limb perfusion [@castellini2021-resuscitative; @trauma2016]. See 16Ch. 16 for REBOA protocols and hybrid trauma workflows.

Limb salvage decision-making and fasciotomy indications

Timing of Revascularization

Ischemia tolerance of skeletal muscle is approximately 6 hours (Feliciano 2011)📄, after which irreversible damage occurs. Revascularization should be prioritized within this window whenever feasible. However, prolonged ischemia time alone should not mandate amputation if viable tissue remains.

Assessment of Limb Viability

Clinical examination remains the cornerstone of limb salvage decision-making:

• Motor function: Inability to dorsiflex or plantarflex the foot suggests advanced ischemia but may recover after revascularization if warm ischemia time is limited.
• Sensory examination: Loss of light touch and proprioception indicates nerve ischemia; complete anesthesia for >6 hours portends poor functional recovery.
• Muscle viability: Compartment palpation assessing for firmness, passive stretch pain, and muscle consistency. Woody, non-contractile muscle suggests necrosis.
• Skin perfusion: Mottling, dusky appearance, and capillary refill >3 seconds indicate severe ischemia.

Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS)

The MESS and similar scoring systems (Predictive Salvage Index, Limb Salvage Index) were developed to predict amputation necessity. However, these tools have limited positive predictive value and should NOT be used as sole criteria for amputation decisions (Rutherford 2018). Clinical judgment, incorporating all injury patterns, physiologic status, and patient factors, must guide limb salvage attempts.

Fasciotomy Indications

Prophylactic four-compartment fasciotomy should be performed liberally in the following scenarios: (Feliciano 2011)📄

• Ischemia time exceeding 4–6 hours
• Combined arterial and venous injuries
• Crush injuries or significant soft tissue trauma
• Massive resuscitation (>6 units packed red blood cells)
• Elevated compartment pressures (>30 mmHg or within 30 mmHg of diastolic blood pressure)

Fasciotomy should be performed at the time of vascular reconstruction or immediately thereafter. Delayed fasciotomy after reperfusion injury develops has limited efficacy and increases morbidity.

Contemporary Evidence

Military experience from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom demonstrated that aggressive limb salvage attempts, incorporating temporary shunts, staged reconstruction, and liberal fasciotomy, achieved functional limb preservation in 85–90% of cases previously considered unsalvageable (Rasmussen 2011). Civilian trauma centers adopting these damage control principles report similar outcomes (Fox 2005)📄.