Intraosseous vascular access: A review

Abstract

Intraosseous cannulation is an increasingly common means of achieving vascular access for the administration of fluids and medications during the emergent resuscitation of both paediatric and adult patients. Improved tools and techniques for intraosseous vascular access have recently been developed, enabling the healthcare provider to choose from a wide range of devices and insertion sites. Despite its increasing popularity within the adult population, and decades of use in the paediatric population, questions remain regarding the safety and efficacy of intraosseous infusion. Although various potential complications of intraosseous cannulation have been theorized, few serious complications have been reported. This article aims to provide a review of the current literature on intraosseous vascular access, including discussion on the various intraosseous devices currently available in the market, the advantages and disadvantages of intraosseous access compared to conventional vascular access methods, complications of intraosseous cannulation and current recommendations on the use of this approach. © 2012, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.