What are arterial catheters used for?

Intra-arterial catheters (also called arterial cannulas or A-lines) are often inserted for invasive blood pressure (BP) monitoring and intravascular access for blood sampling in high-risk surgical and critically ill patients.

Why do we use arterial cannula?

It serves as an invasive means to more accurately measure blood pressure and mean arterial pressure than non-invasive means. Artery cannulation gives precise measurements that allow for immediate recognition of alterations, thus allowing for quicker intervention and potential stabilization of a patient.

How do you insert an arterial catheter?

Palpate the radial artery to determine its location. Clean the skin with antiseptic solution, arrange sterile drape, and inject anesthetic. Step 3. With a one-piece catheter-over-the-wire, puncture the artery and insert the cannula in a continuous motion at an approximately 45-degree angle (Figure 1).

Who needs an arterial line?

Arterial lines are commonly used in critical care. They allow us to draw blood easily without having to stick the patient with a needle. They also allow us to draw blood tests that must be drawn from an artery (such as arterial blood gases). Arterial lines are also used when close blood pressure monitoring is required.

What labs can be drawn from arterial line?

Blood sampling from an arterial catheter is performed to obtain blood specimens for arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis or for other laboratory testing.

What is the most common site for arterial catheterization?

Arterial lines can be placed in the radial, ulnar, brachial, axillary, posterior tibial, femoral, and dorsalis pedis arteries. In both adults and children, the most common site of cannulation is the radial artery.

When do you need an arterial line?

What happens when you Cannulate an artery?

Complications of entering the artery with a large cannula intended for venous cannulation can result in complications such as temporary occlusion, pseudoaneurysm and haematoma formation. [6] Unrecognized arterial injection of anaesthetic drugs can cause tissue ischaemia and necrosis.

Where is an arterial line placed?

An arterial catheter is a thin, hollow tube that is placed into an artery (blood vessel) in the wrist, groin, or other location to measure blood pressure more accurately than is possible with a blood pressure cuff. This is often called an “art line” in the intensive care unit (ICU).