Arterial lines
Oct 23, 2023![](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/blogs/2147545446/images/2ca1ed-21bb-280-7b5-bf0ecd845fe_27.png)
Arterial lines can be tricky! As a team, there are few things that can increase your success rate and minimise patient distress… 😊
1. Anticipate the difficult ones:
👉🏻Narrow arteries (very young, very old, disease states)
👉🏻Poor perfusion (Low blood pressure or peripheral vasoconstriction)
👉🏻Vasospasm/haematoma (previous attempts)
👉🏻Calcified arteries (age, vascular disease)
👉🏻Operator issues (lack of experience, equipment failure)
👉🏻Uncooperative patients
2. Be ready to go
✔️Ensure the pressure transducer set is primed and ready
✔️Reassure the patient and try to keep them relaxed & calm. If sedation is given, consider oxygen and monitoring.
✔️Be ready with the next device, this might be:
👉🏻A back up of the same cannula
👉🏻A smaller cannula (ie 22g)
👉🏻A guidewire
👉🏻An ultrasound machine
Build knowledge ✅
Improve safety ✅