INTRAOSSEOUS ACCESS – A CLASSICAL METHOD FOR VASCULAR ACCESS THAT REGAINS AN IMPORTANT ROLE AS RESUSCITATION TOOL

Abstract

75-80% of life threatening situations, with unexpected arrest, are documented out of hospital (1). This situation generates frequently a diffi cult resuscitation. Main cause for failure is delay in gaining vascular access for fl uid and drug delivery (2). Intraosseous access (IO) is used for treatment in patients without a previously placed intravenous line that experience abrupt-onset life threatening situations (3). Authors revisit data from initial development of this method and document the role of IO access as a valuable tool during resuscitation according to European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2010 (4). Particular aspects of technique, improvisations and real life trouble shooting issues are presented from a single pediatric Emergency Department experience.

Keywords

• intraosseous access
• resuscitation