A cut to the femoral artery is a severe medical emergency with fatal consequences. This type of injury can lead to rapid, life-threatening blood loss, making immediate intervention necessary. Outcome depends on swift action and effective medical care.
The Femoral Artery’s Role
The femoral artery is a large blood vessel in the upper thigh and groin. It serves as the primary conduit for oxygen-rich blood to the entire lower limb, supplying the leg, hip, buttocks, and deep thigh tissues.
Its location near the surface in the femoral triangle makes it susceptible to injury despite its deep course further down the leg. The femoral artery has a diameter of 7.8 to 10 millimeters. Its blood flow rate is 284 to 350 milliliters per minute.
Immediate Physiological Impact
When the femoral artery is cut, the immediate consequence is rapid, significant blood loss. An adult can lose more than one liter of blood per minute from a femoral artery injury.
This rapid blood loss quickly leads to hypovolemic shock, a condition where the body loses significant blood volume, preventing the heart from pumping enough blood to organs. Symptoms of hypovolemic shock include a rapid heart rate, fast and shallow breathing, confusion, weakness, cool and clammy skin, and low blood pressure. Losing 20% or more of the body’s blood volume can induce hypovolemic shock. If untreated, this insufficient blood flow can cause organ damage and lead to multiple organ failure.
Factors Determining Outcome
Survival following a femoral artery cut depends on several factors. The speed of intervention, both initial first aid and professional medical care, is important. Rapid application of pressure can stem blood loss. Delaying treatment, even by minutes, can reduce survival chances.
The specific nature and extent of the injury also play a role. A partial cut might allow for some natural clotting, while a complete severance or a “nick” that prevents the artery from contracting can lead to more severe and uncontrollable bleeding. Associated injuries can complicate the situation and affect outcomes.
The victim’s overall health and ability to form blood clots also influence survival. Pre-existing conditions or medications affecting blood clotting can worsen prognosis. A low hematocrit and a high pulse rate upon hospital admission indicate poorer outcomes, including a higher risk of limb amputation or death.
Life-Saving Interventions
Immediate action is important to saving a life after a femoral artery injury. The initial step is applying direct, firm pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or sterile dressing. This direct pressure aims to compress the artery against the underlying bone, slowing blood flow. If direct pressure is insufficient or not feasible, a tourniquet can be applied to the injured limb to restrict blood flow. Proper training for tourniquet application is beneficial.
Following immediate first aid, rapid transport to a medical facility is necessary for surgical repair. Vascular surgeons perform open surgical repair, involving an incision to access the artery and either directly repair the vessel or replace the damaged segment. Blood transfusions are often needed to replace lost blood volume and address hypovolemic shock. Early administration of whole blood transfusions has shown improved survival rates for patients with severe traumatic bleeding.