Comparison of PIV and IO Vascular Device Placement in Relationto the Time of First ACLS Medication Administration

Abstract

The American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines require ACLS medicationsbe administered intravascularly to patients experiencing cardiac arrest to ensure prompt and predictable drug delivery. Two methods for obtaining intravascular access include placement of a peripheral intravenous (PIV)catheter or intraosseous (IO) catheter.Placement of a PIV catheter may require several lengthy attempts or be unobtainable due to extreme collapse of the venous system during cardiac arrest, delaying medication administration. An IO catheter, however, is injected directly into the bone marrow, providing an uncollapsible point of entry into the vasculature. This study was conducted to determine whether placement of an IO catheter is associated with reduced time to first ACLS medication administration, compared to placement of a PIV catheter.