Intraosseous infusion of hypertonic glucose and dopamine
S. R. Neish, M. G. Macon, J. W. Moore and G. M. Graeber
Department of Pediatrics, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307.
Intraosseous infusion of drugs for resuscitation and of fluids has been
advocated as an alternate emergency technique to intravenous infusion. The
reliability of intraosseous infusion of many substances has not been
established. Glucose and dopamine hydrochloride are two commonly used
emergency drugs in pediatric practice that have not been carefully studied
when administered into the bone marrow. In an animal model, we compared the
response of an intraosseous injection of hypertonic glucose with that of an
intravenous injection of hypertonic glucose. Serum glucose measurements
following the injection revealed both routes of administration to be
effective. A dopamine infusion was then administered through the bone
marrow for 20 minutes. A statistically significant rise in blood pressure
was observed two minutes after initiation of the infusion. Intraosseous
infusion of hypertonic glucose and dopamine is an effective route by which
to administer these medications and is potentially useful in emergency
situations in which intravascular access is delayed.
