Arterial line

Arterial Line

An arterial line (also known as an art line) is a thin catheter inserted into an artery. It is most commonly used in intensive care medicine and anesthesia to monitor blood pressure real-time (rather than by intermittent and potentially inconsistent measurements), and to obtain samples for arterial blood gas analysis.

Indications

Arterial lines are often used in patients who are critically ill, undergoing surgery, or have unstable blood pressure or respiratory status. They are also used in the management of certain specific conditions such as severe trauma, septic shock, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Procedure

The procedure for inserting an arterial line involves the use of local anesthesia, followed by the insertion of a thin catheter into an artery. The most commonly used arteries are the radial artery at the wrist, the femoral artery in the groin, and the dorsalis pedis artery in the foot. The catheter is then connected to a pressurized bag containing a saline solution, which is connected to a transducer for pressure measurement.

Complications

Potential complications of arterial line placement include infection, thrombosis, hemorrhage, pseudoaneurysm, and ischemia. The risk of these complications can be minimized by using aseptic technique, careful patient selection, and regular monitoring of the arterial line site.

See Also

• Central venous catheter
• Pulmonary artery catheter
• Invasive procedures
• Intensive care medicine