A severed artery is an immediate medical emergency. Arteries are robust blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the entire body under high pressure. When an artery is cut, the resulting blood loss is rapid and profuse, posing an immediate threat to life. This injury demands swift action.
The Physiology of Rapid Blood Loss
When an artery is cut, the body experiences a sudden and significant loss of blood volume, leading to a rapid drop in blood pressure. The average adult body contains approximately 4 to 6 liters of blood. Losing a substantial amount of this volume quickly initiates a cascade of physiological responses to compensate for the loss and maintain vital organ blood flow.
Initially, the body attempts to counteract the blood loss through compensatory mechanisms. The heart rate increases to pump the remaining blood more rapidly, and blood vessels in less critical areas, such as the skin, muscles, and digestive tract, constrict to redirect blood towards the brain and heart. Despite these efforts, if blood loss continues unchecked, these compensatory mechanisms become overwhelmed. When an adult loses 30% to 40% or more of their total blood volume, typically 1.5 to 2 liters, hypovolemic shock can develop.
Hypovolemic shock occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. This leads to inadequate oxygen and nutrient delivery, causing cellular dysfunction and damage. The brain and heart are particularly vulnerable to this deprivation, and prolonged lack of oxygen can result in organ failure and ultimately death. The severity of the outcome is directly related to both the volume and the speed of blood loss.
Factors Influencing Survival Time
The speed at which someone can die from a cut artery varies, influenced by several factors. The size and type of the injured artery play a role. Larger arteries, such as the aorta, femoral artery in the thigh, or carotid artery in the neck, carry a massive volume of blood under high pressure. A severe injury to one of these major arteries can lead to exsanguination, or bleeding to death, within minutes, sometimes as rapidly as one to two minutes for the aorta or carotid artery, and potentially five to sixty minutes for the femoral or brachial artery.
The location of the injury also impacts survival time. Injuries to arteries in the torso, particularly those supplying organs within the chest or abdomen, can result in rapid internal bleeding that is not immediately visible, making it challenging to control. In contrast, arterial injuries to limbs might allow for direct intervention, though major limb arteries still present an immediate danger.
The individual’s overall health and any pre-existing conditions also affect their ability to withstand blood loss. Patients on blood thinners, for example, face an increased risk of excessive bleeding and higher mortality rates from injuries, as these medications impair the body’s natural clotting ability.
Immediate Steps to Take
In the event of a cut artery, immediate action improves survival chances. The first step is to call for emergency medical services without delay. While waiting for professional help to arrive, direct intervention can be life-saving.
Applying direct, firm, and continuous pressure directly to the wound is an effective initial measure to control arterial bleeding. Use a clean cloth, gauze, or any available material and press down hard on the bleeding site. If blood soaks through, add more material on top without removing the original dressing, as this could dislodge any forming clots. Elevating the injured limb above the level of the heart, if practical and not causing further injury, can help reduce blood flow to the wound using gravity, though direct pressure remains the primary method for arterial bleeds.
For severe, life-threatening bleeding from a limb that cannot be controlled with direct pressure, a tourniquet may be necessary as a last resort. A tourniquet should be applied high and tight on the limb, several inches above the wound, and tightened until the bleeding stops completely. It is important to note the time the tourniquet was applied, as this information is crucial for medical professionals. Properly applied, these immediate actions can reduce blood loss and buy precious time until advanced medical care arrives.