Intraosseous vs. intravenous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes

Abstract Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a critical emergency with low survival rates despite advancements in prehospital care. Timely vascular access for medication administration is essential, with intravenous (IV) and intraosseous (IO) access as primary strategies. While IO of...

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Main Authors: Emmanuel Kokori, Nawaf Al-Hashemi, Ziad Sad Aldeen, Ravi Patel, Nicholas Aderinto, Gbolahan Olatunji, Iyanuloluwa S. Ojo, Israel Charles Abraham, Hafeez Shaka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:International Journal of Emergency Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00927-y
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author Emmanuel Kokori
Nawaf Al-Hashemi
Ziad Sad Aldeen
Ravi Patel
Nicholas Aderinto
Gbolahan Olatunji
Iyanuloluwa S. Ojo
Israel Charles Abraham
Hafeez Shaka
author_facet Emmanuel Kokori
Nawaf Al-Hashemi
Ziad Sad Aldeen
Ravi Patel
Nicholas Aderinto
Gbolahan Olatunji
Iyanuloluwa S. Ojo
Israel Charles Abraham
Hafeez Shaka
author_sort Emmanuel Kokori
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a critical emergency with low survival rates despite advancements in prehospital care. Timely vascular access for medication administration is essential, with intravenous (IV) and intraosseous (IO) access as primary strategies. While IO offers rapid and reliable access under challenging conditions, its effectiveness compared to IV access remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the comparative outcomes of IO versus IV access in OHCA. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and other databases was conducted up to November 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included comparing IO and IV access in OHCA and reporting outcomes such as return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), 30-day survival, and neurological outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness. Results Nineteen studies involving ~ 140,000 observations (7 randomized controlled trials, 12 retrospective/observational) were analyzed. IO access was associated with significantly lower odds of ROSC (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.65–0.85, p = 0.0003; 17 studies) and FNO at hospital discharge (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35–0.80, p = 0.0058; 12 studies) compared to IV access. The 30-day survival showed a non-significant trend favoring IV access (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.28–1.21, p = 0.1088; 5 studies). Subgroup analyses revealed stronger IV advantages for shorter emergency medical services (EMS) response times (< 10 min; FNO: OR 0.55, ROSC: OR 0.75) and shockable rhythms (FNO: OR 0.53, ROSC: OR 0.75). Conclusion While IO access is a viable alternative when IV access is challenging, this study highlights its association with poorer survival and neurological outcomes in OHCA. The findings show the importance of prioritizing IV access. Further high-quality research is needed to refine recommendations for OHCA management.
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spelling doaj-art-e3e26224722c47b191e6a46a75b7d7112025-08-20T04:01:47ZengBMCInternational Journal of Emergency Medicine1865-13802025-07-0118111610.1186/s12245-025-00927-yIntraosseous vs. intravenous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomesEmmanuel Kokori0Nawaf Al-Hashemi1Ziad Sad Aldeen2Ravi Patel3Nicholas Aderinto4Gbolahan Olatunji5Iyanuloluwa S. Ojo6Israel Charles Abraham7Hafeez Shaka8Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of IlorinDepartment of Hospital Medicine, Atrium Navicent HospitalDepartment of Hospital Medicine, University of Wisconsin-MadisonDepartment of Internal Medicine, Methodist Health System DallasDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, Ladoke Akintola University of TechnologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Internal Medicine, University College HospitalDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of IlorinDivision of General Medicine, John H Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook CountyAbstract Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a critical emergency with low survival rates despite advancements in prehospital care. Timely vascular access for medication administration is essential, with intravenous (IV) and intraosseous (IO) access as primary strategies. While IO offers rapid and reliable access under challenging conditions, its effectiveness compared to IV access remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the comparative outcomes of IO versus IV access in OHCA. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and other databases was conducted up to November 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included comparing IO and IV access in OHCA and reporting outcomes such as return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), 30-day survival, and neurological outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness. Results Nineteen studies involving ~ 140,000 observations (7 randomized controlled trials, 12 retrospective/observational) were analyzed. IO access was associated with significantly lower odds of ROSC (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.65–0.85, p = 0.0003; 17 studies) and FNO at hospital discharge (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35–0.80, p = 0.0058; 12 studies) compared to IV access. The 30-day survival showed a non-significant trend favoring IV access (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.28–1.21, p = 0.1088; 5 studies). Subgroup analyses revealed stronger IV advantages for shorter emergency medical services (EMS) response times (< 10 min; FNO: OR 0.55, ROSC: OR 0.75) and shockable rhythms (FNO: OR 0.53, ROSC: OR 0.75). Conclusion While IO access is a viable alternative when IV access is challenging, this study highlights its association with poorer survival and neurological outcomes in OHCA. The findings show the importance of prioritizing IV access. Further high-quality research is needed to refine recommendations for OHCA management.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00927-yIntraosseous accessIntravenous accessOut-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA)Cardiac arrest resuscitationEmergency medical services (EMS)
spellingShingle Emmanuel Kokori
Nawaf Al-Hashemi
Ziad Sad Aldeen
Ravi Patel
Nicholas Aderinto
Gbolahan Olatunji
Iyanuloluwa S. Ojo
Israel Charles Abraham
Hafeez Shaka
Intraosseous vs. intravenous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Intraosseous access
Intravenous access
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA)
Cardiac arrest resuscitation
Emergency medical services (EMS)
title Intraosseous vs. intravenous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes
title_full Intraosseous vs. intravenous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes
title_fullStr Intraosseous vs. intravenous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes
title_full_unstemmed Intraosseous vs. intravenous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes
title_short Intraosseous vs. intravenous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes
title_sort intraosseous vs intravenous access in out of hospital cardiac arrest a systematic review and meta analysis of clinical outcomes
topic Intraosseous access
Intravenous access
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA)
Cardiac arrest resuscitation
Emergency medical services (EMS)
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00927-y
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