Resuscitation of hemorrhage with intraosseous infusion of hypertonic saline/dextran.

We resuscitated unanesthetized bled sheep (bled volume = 1.2-1.7 liters) with 200 ml of hypertonic saline/dextran 70 infused either through a peripheral vein (n = 6) or directly into the red marrow of the sternum (n = 6). Intraosseous infusion of the viscous 7.5% NaCl/6% dextran solution required 2-4 min. Plasma sodium was rapidly increased to the same level in both groups demonstrating equally rapid entry into the vascular space. Both regimens provide rapid and sustained normalization of arterial pressure and cardiac output. No significant differences between the two groups were apparent for any measured variable. Intraosseous infusion of hypertonic resuscitation fluids merits further research to evaluate the safety and efficacy for prehospital treatment of hypovolemia and trauma.