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

Navigating a proximal loop in the radial artery and avoiding the recurrent radial artery

Several anatomical variations of the radial artery have been described in the literature. Common variations include radial artery loop, recurrent branch, and anastomotic channels connecting the radial and brachial arteries. These variations can pose significant technical challenges to safe radial artery catheterization. Because radial access for neurointervention is becoming popular, appreciation of these variations and mastery of techniques for safe radial artery catheterization are of paramount importance. In this operative video,(video 1) we present a case of a 75-year-old man who underwent middle meningeal artery embolization for treatment of chronic subdural hematoma using a transradial approach. The patient was found to have a radial artery loop and a recurrent branch off the radial artery. The loop could not be negotiated with the conventional technique. We therefore used a microcatheter system with a stiff microwire to navigate and straighten the radial loop under road map guidance. The remaining procedure was performed successfully.

Necrotizing Fasciitis Causing Acute Compartment Syndrome after Radial Artery Catheterization

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but potentially fatal infection involving the subcutaneous tissue and fascia with the development of necrosis of these structures. Acute compartment syndrome occurs when increased pressure within a closed muscle compartment compromises the circulation and function of the tissues within that space. We report the case of a male patient who was admitted to the intensive care unit for the management of urosepsis due to an acute obstructive pyelonephritis complicated by cardiopulmonary arrest. A radial arterial catheter in the left arm was urgently inserted, under suboptimal aseptic technique. His clinical condition progressively deteriorated, and swelling of the left arm with extension to the forearm with incipient signs of compromised perfusion were observed. The diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis with acute compartment syndrome was made and an emergency fasciectomy performed. Following this, the patient gradually improved, organ dysfunction resolved, and he was discharged without sequelae.

Exercise-induced vasodilation is not impaired following radial artery catheterization in coronary artery disease patients

Diagnosis and treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD) often involves angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the radial artery catheterization required during both procedures may result in acute artery dysfunction/damage. While exercise-based rehabilitation is recommended for CAD patients following catheterization, it is not known if there is a period when exercise may be detrimental due to catheter-induced damage. Animal studies have demonstrated exercise-induced paradoxical vasoconstriction postcatheterization. This study aimed to examine arterial responses to acute exercise following catheterization. Thirty-three CAD patients (65.8 ± 7.3 yr, 31.5 ± 6.3 kg/m2, 82% men) undergoing transradial catheterization were assessed before and 1 wk postcatheterization. Radial artery (RA) diameter and shear rate were assessed during handgrip exercise (HE), in both the catheterized (CATH) and control (CON) arms. Endothelial function was also assessed via simultaneous bilateral radial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at both time points. We found that the increase in RA diameter and shear stress in response to HE ( P < 0.0001) was maintained postcatheterization in both the CATH and CON arms, whereas FMD following catheterization was impaired in the CATH [6.5 ± 3.3 to 4.7 ± 3.5% ( P = 0.005)] but not in the CON [6.2 ± 2.6 to 6.4 ± 3.5% ( P = 0.797)] limb. While endothelial dysfunction, assessed by FMD, was apparent 1 wk postcatheterization, the ability of the RA to dilate in response to exercise was not impaired. The impact of catheterization and consequent endothelial denudation on vascular dys/function in humans may therefore be stimulus specific, and a highly level of redundancy appears to exist that preserves exercise-mediated vasodilator responses. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Despite depressed flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilation following catheterization-induced damage, radial artery responses to handgrip exercise were preserved. This suggests that arterial responses to catheterization may be stimulus specific and that redundant mechanisms may compensate for vasodilator impairment during exercise. This has implications for exercise-based rehabilitation after catheterization.