Sternal Intraosseous Research Articles

Sternal Morphologic Characteristics of U.S. Military Males by Computed Tomography: Implications for Intraosseous Access.

Sternal intraosseous (IO) access has advantages over humeral and tibial access for fluid resuscitation in military medical settings due to superior flow rates and pharmacokinetics. However, the morphology of the young adult manubrial cortical and medullary bone as it relates to IO catheter tips of currently available FDA-approved IO access devices is unclear. Computed tomography manubrium images of active duty service members (N = 93) aged 18 to 30 were assessed by radiologists, including manubrial height, width, and cortical thickness, as well as total thickness and medullary thickness at the thickest (superior) and thinnest (inferior) parts of the manubrium. Inference regarding medullary or cortical IO catheter tip placement rates were made for FAST1 (5.5 mm catheter depth) and TALON (4.5 mm catheter depth) sternal IO devices. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, non-parametric, and correlational statistics at P < 0.05. As inferred from case-specific CT-derived manubrium dimensions and maximal catheter tip penetration depths, both FAST1 and TALON would be placed in the target medullary space on 100% of opportunities if properly applied in the superior manubrium and on 99% of opportunities if properly applied in the inferior manubrium. Age was not significantly related to IO-relevant manubrial dimensions. Present findings suggest that both FAST1 and TALON sternal IO catheter tips can be successfully placed into the target medullary bone with high accuracy in male military members aged 18 to 30 who require rapid resuscitation.

Sternal Intraosseous Devices: Review of the Literature.

IntroductionThe intraosseous (IO) route is one of the primary means of vascular access in critically ill and injured patients. The most common sites used are the proximal humerus, proximal tibia, and sternum. Sternal IO placement remains an often-overlooked option in emergency and prehospital medicine. Due to the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq the use of sternal IOs have increased.MethodsThe authors conducted a limited review, searching PubMed and Google Scholar databases for “sternal IO,” “sternal intraosseous,” and “intraosseous” without specific date limitations. A total of 47 articles were included in this review.ResultsSternal IOs are currently FDA approved for ages 12 and older. Sternal IO access offers several anatomical, pharmacokinetic, hemodynamic, and logistical advantages over peripheral intravenous and other IO points of access. Sternal IO use carries many of the same risks and limitations as the humeral and tibial sites. Sternal IO gravity flow rates are sufficient for transfusing blood and resuscitation. In addition, studies demonstrated they are safe during active CPR.ConclusionThe sternal IO route remains underutilized in civilian settings. When considering IO vascular access in adults or older children, medical providers should consider the sternum as the recommended IO access, particularly if the user is a novice with IO devices, increased flow rates are required, the patient has extremity trauma, or administration of a lipid soluble drug is anticipated.

Pharmacokinetic effects of endotracheal, intraosseous, and intravenous epinephrine in a swine model of traumatic cardiac arrest

IntroductionLimited prospective data exist regarding epinephrine's controversial role in managing traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA). This study compared the maximum concentration (Cmax), time to maximum concentration (Tmax), plasma concentration over time, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), time to ROSC, and odds of ROSC of epinephrine administered by the endotracheal (ETT), intraosseous (IO), and intravenous (IV) routes in a swine TCA model. MethodsForty-nine Yorkshire-cross swine were assigned to seven groups: ETT, tibial IO (TIO), sternal IO (SIO), humeral IO (HIO), IV, CPR with defibrillation (CPRD), and CPR only. Swine were exsanguinated 31% of their blood volume and cardiac arrest induced. Chest compressions began 2 min post-arrest. At 4 min post-arrest, 1 mg epinephrine was administered, and blood specimens collected over 4 min. Resuscitation continued until ROSC or 30 min elapsed. ResultsThe Cmax of IV epinephrine was significantly higher than the TIO group (P = 0.049). No other differences in Cmax, Tmax, ROSC, and time to ROSC existed between the epinephrine groups (P > 0.05). Epinephrine levels were detectable in two of seven ETT swine. No significant difference in ROSC existed between the epinephrine groups and CPRD group (P > 0.05). Significant differences in ROSC existed between all groups and the CPR only group (P < 0.05). No significant differences in odds of ROSC were noted. ConclusionsThe pharmacokinetics of IV, HIO, and SIO epinephrine were comparable. Endotracheal epinephrine absorption was highly variable and unreliable compared to IV and IO epinephrine. Epinephrine appeared to have a lesser role than volume replacement in resuscitating TCA.

Military Medic Performance with Employment of a Commercial Intraosseous Infusion Device: A Randomized, Crossover Study.

Obtaining intraosseous (IO) access remains an invaluable skill in the management and resuscitation of patients on the battlefield. The U.S. Army Combat Medic is currently trained to utilize a sternal IO device (FAST1® Intraosseous Infusion System); however, the Arrow® EZ-IO® Intraosseous Vascular Access System offers unique benefits including ease of use, reload ability, and placement location versatility. Studies have demonstrated high success rates in the operational settings using the EZ-IO® System; however, no prospective studies have been conducted to assess the performance of U.S. Army's conventional Combat Medics using the EZ-IO® System. We hypothesized that EZ-IO® System-naïve medics would have a statistically significant success rate advantage utilizing the proximal tibia approach versus proximal humerus approach. A total of 77 U.S. Army Medics (Military Occupational Specialty [MOS] 68 W) volunteer participants were recruited to participate in this randomized, crossover study. Participants received a standardized audio-visual-enhanced lecture on EZ-IO® System use without hands-on training and then randomized into two study groups according to which anatomical approach they would attempt first. Results were analyzed to determine participants' first-attempt mean success rates, mean required time to properly place the needle into simulated humeral head and proximal tibial bone models, and mean survey results measuring the participant's subjective assessment of the two approaches to include, along with training and testing experience. The data of those not naïve to the employment of the EZ-IO® System were excluded. The primary outcome measurement of overall mean participant success rate with attempted insertions into proximal tibial and humeral head bone models was 88% and 86%, respectively, demonstrating no statistically significant difference by approach, with no significant learning or design confounding effects (p > 0.05). Secondary outcomes of mean procedural time and subjective comfort and skill benefit were reported. Successful procedure times between the two anatomical approaches demonstrated a statistically significant mean time advantage of 17.1 s (p < 0.05) in proximal tibia IO placement. Overall participant mean subjective comfort level utilizing the EZ-IO® System (0- to 10-point scale with a 0 being not comfortable and a 10 being very comfortable) was 8.2, with no statistically significant difference in comfort discovered when comparing the two approaches. Participants reported a mean subjective score (0-10 scale with a 0 providing no benefit and a 10 providing extreme benefit) of 9.3 when asked how beneficial their newly learned IO system skill was to their overall medical skillset. The overall first-attempt success rates of U.S. Army Combat Medics employing the EZ-IO® System are similar to the success rates of FAST1® device employment and similar to the success of other provider cohorts using the EZ-IO® device. Coupled with perceived benefit of adding the EZ-IO® System to their combat medic skillset, these data warrant further study and consideration for the incorporation of commercial IO systems into U.S. Army Combat Medic initial, sustainment, and pre-combat training and standard issue equipment.

The effects of sternal intraosseous and intravenous administration of amiodarone in a hypovolemic swine cardiac arrest model.

This study compared the effects of amiodarone via sternal intraosseous (SIO) and intravenous (IV) routes on return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), time to ROSC, concentration maximum (Cmax), time to maximum concentration (Tmax), and mean concentrations over time in a hypovolemic cardiac arrest model. Prospective, between subjects, randomized experimental design. TriService Research Facility. Yorkshire-cross swine (n = 28). Swine were anesthetized and placed into cardiac arrest. After 2 minutes, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated. After an additional 2 minutes, amiodarone 300 mg was administered via the tibial intraosseous TIO or the IV route. Blood samples were collected over 5 minutes. The plasma concentrations were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. ROSC, time to ROSC, Cmax, Tmax, and mean concentrations over time. A multivariate analyses of variance indicated that there were no significant differences in the SIO and IV groups in ROSC (p = 0.191), time to ROSC (p > 0.05), Tmax mean 88.1 ± 24.8 seconds versus 49.5 ± 21.8 seconds (p = 0.317), or Cmax mean 92,700 ± 161,112 ng/mL versus 64,159.8 ± 14,174.8 ng/mL (p = 0.260). A repeated analyses of variance indicated that there were no significant differences between the groups relative to concentrations over time (p > 0.05). The SIO provides rapid and reliable access to administer life-saving medications during cardiac arrest.

Pharmacokinetics of sternal intraossesous atropine administration in normovolemic and hypovolemic swine.

Characterize and compare the pharmacokinetics of atropine administered via the sternal intraosseous (IO) route in a normovolemic and hypovolemic swine model. Prospective, experimental study. Vivarium. Yorkshire-cross swine (N = 12). Atropine was administered via the sternal IO route to normovolemic and hypovolemic swine. Blood samples were drawn at regular intervals after atropine administration and analyzed for plasma atropine concentration. Pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained from modeling the plasma concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters, maximum concentration (Cmax), and time to maximum concentration (Tmax). The normovolemic and hypovolemic models reached peak plasma concentration immediately and had a very rapid distribution phase with no apparent absorption phase for the IO groups. The hypovolemic group had slower clearance and longer half-life compared to the normovolemic group. The sternal IO route is an effective method of administering atropine and is comparable to the previously reported tibial IO and intravenous data even under conditions of significant hemorrhage.

Effects of intravenous, sternal, and humerus intraosseous administration of Hextend on time of administration and hemodynamics in a hypovolemic swine model.

To determine if there were significant differences among humerus intraosseous (HIO), sternal intraosseous (SIO), and intravenous (IV) administration of 500 mL Hextend in hemodynamics or administration time in a hypovolemic swine model. Vivarium. Yorkshire swine; sample size was based on a large effect size of 0.5, an α of 0.05, and a power of 80 percent Swine were randomly assigned to one of four groups: HIO (n = 9), SIO (n = 9), IV (n = 9), and control (n = 9). Swine were exsanguinated 30 percent of their blood volume. Hextend (500 mL) was administered by either the HIO, SIO, or IV route; the control group received none. Time of administration of Hextend; systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), and stroke volume (SV) data were collected every 2 minutes and compared by group over 8 minutes. A repeated analysis of variance found that there were no significant differences in SBP, DBP, MAP, HR, CO, and SV among HIO, SIO, and IV groups over 8 minutes (p > 0.05). An analyses of variance determined that there was no significant difference between groups relative to time of administration (p = 0.521). When IV access is difficult, both HIO and SIO are effective techniques for rapid vascular access and the administration of Hextend for patients in hypovolemic shock.

The effects of sternal and intravenous vasopressin administration on pharmacokinetics.

Purposes of this study were to compare intravenous (IV) and sternal intraosseous (SIO) administration of vasopressin relative to concentration maximum (Cmax), time to maximum concentration (Tmax), and mean concentration in a cardiac arrest model. Prospective, between subjects, randomized experimental design. Vivarium. Yorkshire-cross swine (N = 16) INTERVENTION: Swine were anesthetized, placed into cardiac arrest, and after 2 minutes, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated. After additional 2 minutes, 40 units of vasopressin was administered either by SIO or IV route. Blood samples were collected over 4 minutes. Cmax and means were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Cmax, Tmax, and mean plasma concentrations. There were no significant differences in the SIO and IV groups in Cmax (p = 0.96) or Tmax (p = 0.27). The IV and SIO group had a mean Cmax of 68,151 ± SD 21,534 and 69,034 ± SD 40,169 pg/mL, respectively. The IV and SIO vasopressin groups had a mean Tmax of 105 ± SD 39 and 80 ± SD 41 seconds, respectively. A multivariate analyses of variance indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in pretest data, Cmax, and Tmax; a repeated analyses of variance indicated that there were no significant differences between the groups relative to mean concentrations of serum vasopressin over time (p > 0.05). When a patient is in cardiac arrest, it is essential to establish rapid and reliable access to blood vessels so that life-saving drugs can be administered and the SIO provides such a route.

Comparison of the effects of sternal and tibial intraosseous administered resuscitative drugs on return of spontaneous circulation in a swine model of cardiac arrest.

Compare vasopressin, amiodarone, and epinephrine administration by sternal intraosseous (SIO), tibial intraosseous (TIO), and intravenous (IV) routes in a swine model of cardiac arrest. Prospective, randomized, between subjects, experimental design. Laboratory. Male Yorkshire-cross swine (N = 35), seven per group. Swine were randomized to SIO, TIO, IV, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with defibrillation, or CPR-only groups. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced under general anesthesia. Mechanical CPR began 2 minutes postarrest. Vasopressin (40 U) was administered to the SIO, TIO, and IV groups 4 minutes postarrest. Defibrillation was performed and amiodarone (300 mg) was administered 6 minutes postarrest. Defibrillation was repeated, and epinephrine (1 mg) was administered 10 minutes postarrest. Defibrillation was repeated every 2 minutes and epinephrine repeated every 4 minutes until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or 26 postarrest minutes elapsed. Rate of ROSC, time to ROSC, and odds of ROSC. There were no significant differences in rate of ROSC between the SIO and TIO (p = 0.22) or IV groups (p = 1.0). Time to ROSC was five times less in the SIO group than the TIO group (p = 0.003) but not compared to IV (p = 0.125). Time to ROSC in the IV group was significantly less than the TIO group (p = 0.04). Odds of ROSC for the SIO group were five times higher compared to the TIO group but same as IV. Odds of ROSC in the IV group were higher than the TIO group. There was a statistically significant delay in the time to ROSC and a clinically significant difference in odds of ROSC when resuscitative drugs, including lipophilic amiodarone, were administered by the TIO route compared to the SIO and IV routes in a swine model of sudden cardiac arrest. Further investigations are warranted to isolate the mechanism behind these findings.

135 Sternal Flow Rates and Insertion Success Using a Multisite Intraosseous Device

135 Sternal Flow Rates and Insertion Success Using a Multisite Intraosseous Device

Effects of sternal intraosseous and intravenous administration of Hextend on time of administration and hemodynamics in a swine model of hemorrhagic shock.

Disasters may cause traumatic injuries leading to hemorrhage. Hemorrhage is the leading cause of death for military and civilian trauma casualties. The US Army's Tactical Combat Casualty Care guidelines recommend administering a 500 mL Hextend bolus via the intravenous (IV) or intraosseous (IO) routes for patients in hypovolemic shock. The purposes of this study were to compare administration time of Hextend and the effects on hemodynamics when Hextend is administered by the sternal IO (SIO) and IV routes in a swine model of hemorrhagic shock. This was a prospective, experimental study with random assignment. The study was implemented at an animal vivarium. Yorkshire-cross (N=21) swine were used. Each swine was hemorrhaged 30 percent of their total blood volume to simulate a class II hemorrhage; 500 mL of Hextend was administered by the SIO and IV routes after hemorrhage. The control group did not receive any resuscitative fluids. The predetermined variables of the study were time of administration and hemodynamics over 8 minutes. Hemodynamic data were collected every 2 minutes until administration was complete. There were no significant differences in the time to administer Hextend between the SIO (616±166 seconds) and the IV groups (534±151 seconds) (p=0.37). There were no significant differences between the SIO and IV groups relative to hemodynamics (p>0.05), but both were significantly different than the control group (p<0.05). The SIO route is an effective method of administering Hextend.

An Evidence-Based Review of Epinephrine Administered via the Intraosseous Route in Animal Models of Cardiac Arrest

Intraosseous (IO) access, enabling the rapid administration of epinephrine during cardiac arrest (CA), is crucial in promoting optimal postresuscitation outcomes in patients with poor vascular access. There is a question whether IO-administered epinephrine is equivalent to intravenously administered epinephrine during CA. The question guiding this evidence-based review was as follows: in adults suffering CA given epinephrine via the IO route, what is the resulting serum concentration of the drug compared to when administered intravenously? A search was conducted and the evidence appraised and leveled. Four animal studies met the inclusion criteria. The sources showed no definitive evidence supporting equivalence between intravenous and IO epinephrine administered during CA. Intravenously administered epinephrine provides increased and faster appearing serum concentrations than IO-administered epinephrine. Evidence indicated epinephrine given via the sternal IO route more closely approaches equivalence with intravenously administered epinephrine than when administered by the tibial IO route. The clinician should consider using proximal IO infusion sites such as the sternum or humerus when administering advanced cardiac life support drugs to rapidly achieve maximal therapeutic concentrations. Further studies are needed to determine the differences seen when epinephrine is administered by these routes during CA.

Pharmacokinetics of intraosseous and central venous drug delivery during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

We compared the pharmacokinetics of intraosseous (IO) drug delivery via tibia or sternum, with central venous (CV) drug delivery during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). MethodsCPR of anesthetized KCl arrest swine was initiated 8min post arrest. Evans blue and indocyanine green, each were simultaneously injected as a bolus with adrenaline through IO sternal and tibial needles, respectively, n=7. In second group (n=6) simultaneous IO sternal and IV central venous (CV) injections were made. ResultsPeak arterial blood concentrations were achieved faster for sternal IO vs. tibial IO administration (53±11s vs. 107±27s, p=0.03). Tibial IO dose delivered was 65% of sternal administration (p=0.003). Time to peak blood concentration was similar for sternal IO and CV administration (97±17s vs. 70±12s, respectively; p=0.17) with total dose delivered of sternal being 86% of the dose delivered via CV (p=0.22). ConclusionsIO drug administrations via either the sternum or tibia were effective during CPR in anesthetized swine. However, IO drug administration via the sternum was significantly faster and delivered a larger dose.

Evaluation of Success Rate and Access Time for an Adult Sternal Intraosseous Device Deployed in the Prehospital Setting

Access to the vascular system of the critically ill or injured adult patient is essential for resuscitation. Whether due to trauma or disease, vascular collapse may delay or preclude even experienced medical providers from obtaining standard intravenous (IV) access. Access to the highly vascular intramedullary space of long bones provides a direct link to central circulation. The sternum is a thin bone easily identified by external landmarks that contains well-vascularized marrow. The intraosseous (IO) route rapidly and reliably delivers fluids, blood products, and medications. Resuscitation fluids administered by IV or IO achieve similar transit times to central circulation. The FAST-1 Intraosseous Infusion System is the first FDA-approved mechanical sternal IO device. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the success rate of FAST-1 sternal IO device deployment in the prehospital setting; (2) compare the time of successful sternal IO device placement to published data regarding time to IV access; and (3) describe immediate complications of sternal IO use. All paramedics in the City of Portsmouth, Virginia were trained to correctly deploy the FAST-1 sternal IO device during a mandatory education session with the study investigators. The study subjects were critically ill or injured adult patients in cardiac arrest treated by paramedics during a one-year period. When a patient was identified as meeting study criteria, the paramedic initiated standard protocols; the FAST-1 sternal IO was substituted for the peripheral IV to establish vascular access. Time to deployment was measured and successful placement was defined as insertion of the needle, with subsequent aspiration and fluid flow without infiltration. Over the one-year period, paramedics attempted 41 FAST-1 insertions in the pre-hospital setting. Thirty (73%) of these were placed successfully. The mean time to successful placement was 67 seconds for 28 attempts; three of the 31 insertions did not have times recorded by the paramedic. Paramedics listed the problems with FAST-1 insertion, including: (1) difficulty with adhesive after device placement (3 events); (2) failure of needles to retract and operator had to pull the device out of the skin (2 events); and (3) slow flow (1 event). Emergency department physicians noted two events of minor bleeding around the site of device placement. This is the first study to prospectively evaluate the prehospital use of the FAST-1 sternal IO as a first-line device to obtain vascular access in the critically ill or injured patient. The FAST-1 sternal IO device can be a valuable tool in the paramedic arsenal for the treatment of the critically ill or injured patient. The device may be of particular interest to specialty disaster teams that deploy in austere environments.

Paramedic Evaluation of Adult Intraosseous Infusion System

The First Access for Shock and Trauma (FAST 1) Sternal Intraosseous (IO) System is a vascular access device designed as an alternative to peripheral or central intravenous (IV) cannulation for the treatment of critically ill and injured adults. During the development of the device, key objectives included safety, speed of insertion, and ease of use with minimal training. This study evaluated these characteristics. Ten experienced paramedics participated in a 90-minute training program for the use of the FAST 1 System at the Paramedic Academy of the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Then, the paramedics used the system in three simulated prehospital scenarios and evaluated the ease of use and compatibility of the training method with current practice using a 10-centimeter (cm) (3.94 inches (in)), visual analog scale. The duration of the procedure from opening the package to initiation of fluid flow ranged 52-127 seconds (mean = 92 +/- 32 seconds). Placement accuracy was excellent, with a mean displacement of 2 mm (0.08 in) and 1 mm (0.04 in) in the vertical and horizontal planes, respectively. The paramedics rated the system highly in all areas. They considered the training "straight-forward" and "comprehensive". The possibility for interference between the IO system and cervical collars was reported, and several suggestions to remedy this and achieve other improvements were made. Placement of the FAST 1 is fast, accurate, and easy to use. Paramedics had useful input concerning the design of the product.

A new system for sternal intraosseous infusion in adults

Background. Intraosseous (IO) infusion provides an alternative route for the administration of fluids and medications when difficulty with peripheral or central lines is encountered during resuscitation of critically ill and injured patients. Objective. To report the first 50 uses of a new system for emergency IO infusion into the sternum in adults, the Pyng F.A.S.T.1 IO infusion system. Methods. Six emergency departments and five prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) sites in Canada and the United States provided clinical and/or research data on their use of the IO system in a pilot study of success rates, insertion times, and complications. Indications for use included adult patient, urgent need for fluids or medications, and unacceptable delay or inability to achieve standard vascular access. A basic data set was standardized for all sites, and some sites collected additional data. Results. The overall success rate for achieving vascular access with the system was 84%. Success rates were 74% for first-time users, and 95% for experienced users. Failure to achieve vascular access occurred most frequently in patients (5 of 9) described subjectively by the user as “very obese,” in whom there was a thick layer of tissue overlying the sternum. Mean time to achieve vascular access was 77 seconds. Flow rates of up to 80 mL/min were reported for gravity drip, and more than 150 mL/min by syringe bolus. Pressure cuffs were also used successfully, although fluid rate was controlled by clamping the line. Further research on flow rates is needed. No complications or complaints were reported at two-month follow-up. Conclusion. These early data indicate that sternal IO infusion using the new F.A.S.T.1 IO system may provide rapid, safe vascular access and may be a useful technique for reducing unacceptable delays in the provision of emergency treatment. PREHOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE 2000;4:173-177

FEASIBILITY OF STERNAL INTRAOSSEOUS ACCESS BY EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN STUDENTS

Objective. Emergency medical technician–basic (EMT-B) providers are not trained to establish vascular or intraosseous (IO) access on critically ill patients. This study was conducted to examine the feasibility of training EMT-B students to correctly place a commercial sternal IO infusion device (FAST-1). Methods. Twenty-nine EMT-B students attended a two-hour training session. Subjects were subsequently tested in FAST-1 application using a modified resuscitation mannequin permitting IO needle deployment. Two observers assessed correct IO application andtechnique. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics (binomial proportions andmedians with 95% confidence intervals). Inter-rater agreement of observations was evaluated using kappa statistics andintraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results. Inter-rater agreement ranged from fair to excellent (kappa = 0.37–1.00) for all parameters except sternal notch identification (kappa = −0.03). Reliabilities of elapsed times were good (ICC = 0.83, 0.31). Correct identification of the sternal notch was accomplished by 28 of 29 students (96.6%; 95% CI: 82.2–99.9%). Correct application of the IO target patch was achieved by 29 of 29 (100.0%; 88.1–100.0%). First-attempt successful IO needle deployment was achieved by 16 of 29 (55.2%; 35.7–73.6%). Overall successful IO needle deployment within four attempts was achieved by 27 of 29 (93.1%; 77.2–99.2%). The protective dome was correctly applied by 27 of 29 (93.1%; 77.2–99.2%). The median time to needle deployment was 27.5 seconds (95% CI: 24–31). The median time to dome placement was 50 seconds (95% CI: 42–55). Conclusions. EMT-B students with minimal training demonstrated limited success with applying a commercial sternal IO device. Clinical application by EMT-Bs on critically ill patients may be possible with more intensive training.

The sternal IO and vascular access-any port in a storm.

Attempting vascular access by out-of-hospital medical providers is one of the most common and important interventions performed. Hypovolemia, hypothermia, obesity, previous intravenous drug administration or abuse, burns, and amputations complicate the establishment of venous access. Failure rates have ranged between 10% and 40% and have taken upward and beyond 25 minutes to establish. Such delays deprive a patient of intravenous fluids, volume replacement, and medications and delay arrival at definitive care. Delay in intravenous access and preceding interventions are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates. Establishing vascular access in 90 seconds, although widely considered an operational goal of out-of-hospital providers, is rarely achieved. These concerns raise a fundamental issue with regard to patient care and treatment: is it in the best interest of the patient to “load and go,” performing interventions in the air or ground unit under more difficult conditions, or should secure vascular access be a must-have priority before initiating transport? The FAST 1 intraosseous (IO) device has been recently described in the air medical literature. This new adjunct for achieving vascular access has proven beneficial for the following reasons: • Training is easy and takes a minimum of time. The skill can be practiced repeatedly until a level of proficiency has been achieved. • Application of the device is quick, with average insertion times of 77 seconds. • A high level of success (74%-95%) is achieved on first attempts. • Event-to-door time is reduced. • Patient outcomes improve when treated faster. • A high level of safety is provided for both the user and the patient. • Situations for which the device is “not recommended” are minimal. Inova AirCare added the FAST 1 sternal IO to the cache of equipment carried by flight crews. Our program is hospital based, and each flight crew consists of a flight nurse and flight paramedic. We perform approximately 40% scene and 60% interfacility transports. Flight nurse and paramedic training in IO was based on the manufacturer’s training outline, video manual, and insertion simulator. We demonstrated full compliance and validated flight personnel skills before adding the device. Existing medical protocols were revised to reflect inclusion of the device as an adjunct for establishing parenteral access. Within 30 days of adding the IO to our program, the device was used in an extraordinary clinical situation that was “not recommended” by the manufacturer. The flight crew decided to place the sternal IO after all other options for obtaining vascular access had been exhausted. Availability of the sternal IO was essential to the ability of prehospital care providers to deliver emergent care.

Early Report on Emergency Sternal Intraosseous Infusion in Adults

Early Report on Emergency Sternal Intraosseous Infusion in Adults

A N EW S YSTEM FOR S TERNAL I NTRAOSSEOUS I NFUSION IN A DULTS

Background. Intraosseous (IO) infusion provides an alternative route for the administration of fluids and medications when difficulty with peripheral or central lines is encountered during resuscitation of critically ill and injured patients. Objective. To report the first 50 uses of a new system for emergency IO infusion into the sternum in adults, the Pyng F.A.S.T.1 IO infusion system. Methods. Six emergency departments and five prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) sites in Canada and the United States provided clinical and/or research data on their use of the IO system in a pilot study of success rates, insertion times, and complications. Indications for use included adult patient, urgent need for fluids or medications, and unacceptable delay or inability to achieve standard vascular access. A basic data set was standardized for all sites, and some sites collected additional data. Results. The overall success rate for achieving vascular access with the system was 84%. Success rates were 74% for first-time users, and 95% for experienced users. Failure to achieve vascular access occurred most frequently in patients (5 of 9) described subjectively by the user as “very obese,” in whom there was a thick layer of tissue overlying the sternum. Mean time to achieve vascular access was 77 seconds. Flow rates of up to 80 mL/min were reported for gravity drip, and more than 150 mL/min by syringe bolus. Pressure cuffs were also used successfully, although fluid rate was controlled by clamping the line. Further research on flow rates is needed. No complications or complaints were reported at two-month follow-up. Conclusion. These early data indicate that sternal IO infusion using the new F.A.S.T.1 IO system may provide rapid, safe vascular access and may be a useful technique for reducing unacceptable delays in the provision of emergency treatment.