Tennessee inmate Christa Pike survived a botched execution attempt Wednesday night after the lethal injection of pentobarbital failed twice, her lawyers said Thursday. The execution team reportedly struggled to find suitable veins, using at least seven needles before successfully inserting catheters. Pike was left with blistering and burning around the intravenous insertion sites.

Medical experts suggest Pike’s survival may be due to the drug, pentobarbital, not entering her bloodstream. Instead, it may have leaked into the tissue surrounding the insertion sites, preventing it from reaching the necessary levels to cause death. This "IV infiltration" is a known complication that can occur during intravenous drug administration.

According to Pike's lawyers, she has a blood disorder that makes finding veins difficult, a problem doctors have encountered during previous medical procedures. During the execution attempt, Pike reportedly attempted to assist the staff in locating veins for the IV lines. Her attorneys described her condition as critical, receiving lifesaving medical care.

The Tennessee Department of Correction stated that it followed its established execution protocol. However, officials declined to answer questions regarding the execution's failure. The department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the specific issues encountered during the procedure.

Experts noted that signs of IV infiltration are typically recognizable to medical professionals, who would then attempt to correct the issue. The failure to administer the lethal dose correctly raises questions about the training and procedures of the execution team.

Past botched executions have also involved issues with IV infiltration, leading to prolonged suffering for inmates and sparking legal challenges. The chemical burns reported by Pike's lawyers are consistent with such complications.

While the primary cause is believed to be the drug's misdelivery, other factors could also have contributed. The state has not provided details on whether the pentobarbital itself was tested for degradation, which could also affect its potency and efficacy.

Further investigation into the execution protocol and the specific circumstances surrounding Pike's case is expected. The incident renews scrutiny on the methods and efficacy of lethal injection protocols used in the United States.