Temporary Aortic Compression With the Abdominal Tourniquet for Refractory Postpartum Hemorrhage

Temporary Aortic Compression With the Abdominal Tourniquet for Refractory Postpartum Hemorrhage

This multicenter study aims to evaluate effectiveness and safety of using the AAJT-S device as a temporary intervention for severe, atony-related PPH that is refractory to standard therapies

This is a multicenter, prospective, single-arm treatment study aimed at evaluating the feasibility, safety, and clinical effectiveness of the Abdominal Aortic and Junctional Tourniquet - Stabilized (AAJT-S) as a temporary intervention for managing severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) caused by uterine atony unresponsive to standard first-line treatments. The study will be conducted across several sites in Ukraine, in regions affected by armed conflict, where access to surgical care and blood products may be delayed.

Eligible participants are postpartum women aged 18 or older who experience primary PPH with estimated blood loss greater than 1000 mL and who do not respond to uterotonics or balloon tamponade. Patients with hemorrhage due to trauma, coagulopathy, or retained placental tissue will be excluded.

When standard interventions fail and eligibility is confirmed, the AAJT-S device will be applied to the upper abdomen and inflated to 250 mmHg to temporarily occlude the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. This intervention aims to reduce pelvic blood flow and control bleeding, buying critical time to assemble the surgical team, initiate blood transfusion, and establish anesthesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥18 years
• Clinical diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) refractory to uterotonics and intrauterine balloon tamponade
• Estimated blood loss greater than 1300 mL
• Oral informed consent provided prior to device application

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with postpartum bleeding as a result of trauma, retained placenta or coagulopathy were excluded