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5.2.1 - Arterial Line Insertion

from Section 5.2 - Practical Cardiovascular System

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2023

Ned Gilbert-Kawai
Affiliation:
The Royal Liverpool Hospital
Debashish Dutta
Affiliation:
Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow
Carl Waldmann
Affiliation:
Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading
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Summary

Key Learning Points

  1. 1. Arterial lines offer beat-by-beat monitoring of a patient’s blood pressure and allow for repeated arterial sampling – must-haves in critical care and major operative settings.

  2. 2. Careful consideration of the insertion site is necessary, especially when radial puncture is not available. The use of end-arteries could result in limb ischaemia in the event of complications.

  3. 3. The Allen’s test is a simple and timely test for gross perfusion prior to arterial puncture; however, it is not without its shortcomings. Doppler ultrasound may be more effective, especially in anaesthetised patients.

  4. 4. There are several different techniques for arterial line insertion; however, the catheter-over-wire (Seldinger) technique is regarded as the safest.

  5. 5. A well-inserted and cared-for arterial line can remain in situ for several weeks, if required. Infection rates are lower than those of either peripheral or central venous catheters.

Type
Chapter
Information
Intensive Care Medicine
The Essential Guide
, pp. 561 - 563
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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References

References and Further Reading

Roberts, JR, Custalow, CB, Thomsen, TW. Roberts and Hedges’ Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care, 7th edn. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.Google Scholar
Scheer, B, Perel, A, Pfeiffer, UJ. Clinical review: complications and risk factors of peripheral arterial catheters used for haemodynamic monitoring in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine. Crit Care 2002;6:199204.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Waldman, C, Soni, N, Rhodes, A, Handy, J. Oxford Desk Reference: Critical Care, 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2019.Google Scholar

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