Efficient prehospital induction of therapeutic hypothermia via intraosseous infusion

Abstract

The authors inform about successful introduction of an EZ-IO intraosseous system into the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service operations with a success rate of 95.5% for the first attempt. The reported case of a 2-year-old boy suggests possibility of effective induction of pre-hospital therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest via cold intraosseous infusion as an acceptable alternative if intravenous line is not established.

Achieved prehospital cooling rate 1.7°C/30 min was at least comparable to intravenous route.