Comparison of Effects of Guidewire-Assisted and Direct Arterial Puncture Techniques on Success Rate of Radial Artery Cannulation by Inexperienced Trainees

Background: The radial artery is superficially palpable and easily accessible, making it the preferred site for arterial cannulation. Various placement techniques are available for radial artery catheter insertion. However, catheter insertion is sometimes difficult and requires multiple attempts, especially by inexperienced trainees, leading to technical failure and insertion-related complications. Guidewire-assisted cannulation is a simple and effective technique, but this maneuver requires practice. The main objective of this study was to compare the effects of a direct arterial puncture and a guidewire-assisted cannulation technique on the success rate of radial artery cannulation by inexperienced trainees.Methods: This study was a prospective, single-center, single-arm clinical trial with a historical control. Sixty patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of I to III underwent elective surgery requiring radial artery cannulation. In the guidewire-assisted cannulation group (GW group), thirty radial artery cannulations were performed by inexperienced surgical residents using a guidewire-assisted cannulation technique. In the direct arterial puncture group (DP group), 30 patients underwent radial artery cannulation with a direct arterial puncture technique by inexperienced anesthesiology residents. The primary outcome was the success rate. Results: There were no differences in the baseline blood pressure or comorbidities between the two groups. Overall, the success rate of radial artery cannulation in the GW and DP groups were 90% and 50%, respectively (P = 0.001). The success rate of first-attempt cannulation in the GW and DP group were 66.7% and 26.7%, respectively (P = 0.002). The total procedural performance time was significantly shorter in the GW than DP group.Conclusion: The guidewire-assisted cannulation technique achieved a higher success rate than the direct arterial puncture technique when performed by inexperienced trainees.Trial registrationThe trial was registered on Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20200601004). Date of registration was January 19, 2020. (Retrospectively registered) http://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/page_user/#

Scale ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation in infant: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Cannulation of the radial artery can be extremely challenging in infants. Scale ultrasound can provide accurate arterial location and guidance for operators. We hypothesized that scale ultrasound helps increase the initial success rate of radial artery cannulation in this population. Method: Seventy-six infants aged 0–3 months who needed arterial puncture after general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups (1:1 ratio): the scale ultrasound group and the traditional ultrasound group. The primary endpoints were the success rate of the first attempt and the total success rate of arterial cannulation. The secondary endpoints were the time during arterial puncture and the incidence of vascular complications. Results: The success rate of the first attempt and the total success rate of arterial cannulation were 92.1% (35/38) versus 50% (19/38) and 100% (38/38) versus 86.8% (33/38) in the scale ultrasound and traditional ultrasound group ( p < 0.005), respectively. The median time to ultrasound location, needle entry into the radial artery, and successful cannulation in the scale ultrasound group were significantly shorter than those in the traditional ultrasound group: 10 (8.0, 17.2) s, 15 (11.7, 20) s, and 65 (53.8, 78.5) s vs 30 (26.5, 43.5) s, 35 (23, 51) s, and 224.5 (123.5, 356) s ( p < 0.001), respectively. The incidence of hematoma was higher in the traditional group ( p < 0.005). Conclusions: Scale ultrasound-guided radial arterial cannulation can significantly improved initial success rate and overall success rate, shorten puncture time in infant, compared with that achieved with the use of traditional ultrasound guidance.

Comparison of three ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation methods performed by anaesthesia residents: A prospective randomized controlled trial

BackgroundTo compare the short-axis/out-of-plane (SAX), long-axis/in-plane (LAX) and oblique-axis/out-of-plane (OAX) approaches for radial artery catheterization performed by anaesthesia residents with limited experience.MethodsTwo hundred and sixteen adult patients were scheduled to undergo surgery requiring continuous arterial pressure monitoring. They were randomized to the SAX, LAX and OAX groups at a 1:1:1 ratio. Thirty-three anaesthesia residents performed the cannulation procedures. The operators received an explanation of the theoretical anatomy of the radial artery and the operating process of three approaches for ultrasound-guided cannulation of the radial artery and practised artery cannulation on a model of radial artery cannulation. The primary outcome was the success rate of cannulation, and the secondary outcomes included the first-attempt success rate in the model and patients, the imaging time, blood return time, cannulation time, total time and incidence of adverse events.ResultsThe success rate of radial artery cannulation in the SAX group was significantly higher than that in the LAX group (71.4% vs 49.2%; P=0.009) and was clinically meaningfully higher than that in the OAX group (71.4% vs 61.7%; P=0.229). The total time was shorter in the SAX group than in the LAX and OAX groups: 51 (59) s vs 113 (66) s vs 86 (61) s; P=0.000. The first-attempt success rate for the model did not differ among the three groups. In the patients, the first-attempt success rate in the SAX group was significantly higher than those in both the LAX and OAX groups (69.7% vs 24.2% vs 6.1%; P=0.000).ConclusionAnaesthesia residents can achieve a higher success rate, higher satisfaction rate and shorter procedure time by using the SAX approach than by using the LAX and OAX approaches for radial artery catheterization.Trial registrrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry,ChiCTR200030416. Registered 1 March 2020,http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=50193&htm=4

A novel electromagnetic guidance ultrasound system on radial artery cannulation: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Background Radial artery cannulation can cause complications such as haematoma formation or thrombosis due to its small diameter. Recently, a novel ultrasound device equipped with an electromagnetic guidance system was introduced, showing the path and alignment of the needle during the procedure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of this novel system on both success and complication rates during radial artery cannulation under ultrasound guidance. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 76 adults scheduled for neurosurgery requiring radial artery cannulation were recruited. In group E (n = 38), radial artery cannulation was performed using the electromagnetic guidance ultrasound system, whereas in group C (n = 38), the procedure was performed using conventional ultrasound guidance. The success rates of cannulation on the first attempt, cannulation times, number of attempts, and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. Results There was a significant difference in the success rates on the first attempt between the two groups (group C = 78.9% vs. group E = 94.7%, P = 0.042). Incidences of posterior wall puncture and haematoma formation (group C = 8 vs. group E = 1; P = 0.028) were significantly lower in group E than in group C. The median cannulation time for successful attempts was comparable between groups. Conclusions Use of the novel electromagnetic guidance system resulted in a better success rate on the first attempt and a lower incidence of complications during radial artery cannulation. Trial registration This study was registered at http://cris.nih.go.kr (registration number: KCT0002476).