Intraosseous infusion, also called bone marrow infusion, is a medical procedure that involves inserting a small needle or catheter into the marrow space of bones to provide vascular access for fluid administration or drug delivery. It offers a fast and safe approach to deliver medications or fluids into a patient's circulatory system when intravenous access is not feasible or has failed. The most common sites for intraosseous infusion are the sternum, knee, tibia and humerus.
Advantages of Intraosseous Infusion
One of the major advantages of intraosseous infusion is that it provides vascular access within minutes without much difficulty even for those with little or no medical training. This makes it ideal for emergency situations where rapid access to the circulatory system is required for critical care but traditional intravenous access cannot be obtained. Some other key advantages are:
- It has a 90% success rate compared to 60% with peripheral intravenous access in emergency scenarios. The bone marrow offers a highly vascular structure comparable to large veins allowing quick absorption and distribution of fluids and drugs.
- Intraosseous Infusion Devices needles penetrate between 2-3 cm into the marrow space which ensures fluids administered do not leak into soft tissues but drain directly into venous sinusoids and venous system.
- Infusion rates are similar to intravenous therapy with flow rates up to 125 ml/minute achievable for both crystalloids and colloids using pressure infusion devices like pumps or gravity with hang height.
- Can be used for a variety of emergency fluids, resuscitation drugs and antibiotics that are normally administered intravenously. This makes it very useful when IV access cannot be obtained in trauma situations, shock, cardiac arrest, severe dehydration etc.
- Less painful compared to peripheral intravenous cannulation. Also has less complications like infiltration or site swelling compared to IV catheters in low perfusion states.
Types of Intraosseous Infusion Devices
There are different types of intraosseous devices presently available:
- Battery-powered drills - Early devices required manual drilling into bone which was time-consuming and difficult to use in the field. Newer battery-powered drills enable single-operator use and faster insertion in under 30 seconds.
- Spring-loaded devices - These have an internal spring mechanism that propels the sharp tip into the bone marrow space rapidly with the push of a button. Examples are EZ-IO and BIG.
- Battery/manual hybrid devices - Combine advantages of powered drills and manual insertion. Examples are INtraosseous-EZ by Pyng Medical.
- Passive stylets - Non-powered stylets require twisting or hammering motion for placement. Examples are bone injection guns.
All modern devices are designed for single use and come pre-loaded with needles ranging from 15-18 gauge in diameter and 1.5-2.5 inches in length. Some have additional features like adjustable depth, fluid adapters and securement devices.
Regulations and Training for Use
Intraosseous infusion is now considered a standard method of vascular access by various emergency medicine and trauma organizations. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is regulated as a Class II medical device. Most emergency medical service providers in developed nations incorporate intraosseous access training into their advanced life support protocols.
Proper operator training involving cognitive instruction as well as manikin based hands-on practice is essential to learn effective and safe placement technique. The American Heart Association also provides educational resources and guidelines on intraosseous infusion as part of their Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) protocols. Overall it is an important emergency procedure that more medical professionals should be competent to perform when required, especially in pre-hospital settings.
Complications and Contraindications
Like all medical procedures, intraosseous infusion devices also carries some risks which operators must be aware of:
- Bone fracture - There is a small chance of cracking or fracturing the bone during needle insertion. This usually does not delay treatment or cause long term issues.
- Osteomyelitis - Rare risk of infection inside the bone marrow which may lead to osteomyelitis. Proper antisepsis and sterile technique can minimize this.
- Embolism - Fat embolism into circulation if intramedullary needle penetrates into venous sinusoids. However, risks are very low with modern devices inserted in recommended sites.
- Extravasation - Leakage of infusate into soft tissues if needle is accidentally displaced. Monitored infusion and securement reduces this risk.
Relative contraindications for intraosseous access include absence of sufficient bone marrow such as in newborns, suspected or known bone abnormalities, joint infections near the site and local site trauma or burns over insertion areas. However, it may still be considered in emergency settings if no other viable option for lifesaving intervention is available.
ntraosseous infusion devices has emerged as a fast, safe andeffective alternative to intravenous therapy in critically ill patients when vascular access is difficult or delayed. Modern automatic and powered intraosseous devices have made the procedure quicker and more user-friendly for pre-hospital emergency providers. With appropriate training, intraosseous access can bridge the gap between catastrophic situations and definitive care, greatly improving chances of survival. Wider adoption and competence in intraosseous techniques is thus encouraged across various medical disciplines.
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