Intraosseous infusions in the emergency department

For most emergency physicians and pediatricians, the frustrations encountered when obtaining intravenous access in infants involved in traumatic or medical emergencies are well known. Although it is rare that parenteral access is absolutely unobtainable in a pediatric patient, minutes and sometimes hours are often lost as futile attempts are made to cannulate a collapsed vein of such a patient. Many alternatives to such a crisis situation, including the intratracheal, intracardiac, and sublingual routes of administration, have been proposed and efficaciously used. Disadvantages to these alternatives, however, include the inability to administer volume-expanding colloids or crystalloids, and a relatively narrow spectrum of useful medications. One relatively safe, well-proven, and technically easy method for giving replacement fluids, blood products, and numerous resuscitative drugs is infusion by the intraosseous route. Although not recommended as a replacement for current modes of intravascular access, we feel it has definite utility in selected situations and warrants the awareness of emergency physicians. The value, historical aspects, technique, and complications of this procedure are discussed.