Contemporary Uses of Inferior Vena Cava Balloon Occlusion

The evolution of the hybrid operative environment has expanded the utility of inferior vena cava balloon occlusion (IVCBO) in contemporary surgical practice. First described in the management of acute decompensated heart failure and venous thromboembolism, IVCBO has been utilized in deployment of thoracic endoprosthesis, repair of aortocaval fistula, management of inferior vena cava (IVC) tumour thrombus, and abdominal IVC trauma. More recently, IVCBO has also been utilized as a therapeutic strategy to assist patients with reduced ejection fraction and exercise tolerance in the form of an implantable device. Here we present a narrative review of the physiological impact of IVCBO as well as its historical, contemporary, and future uses. The contemporary utilization of IVCBO is a novel example of employing endovascular technology in the hybrid operative environment; paramount for the modern vascular surgeon who is now increasingly involved in multidisciplinary management of complex clinical presentations.