Category
Vascular Access Monitoring
Typical Use
Continuous invasive arterial pressure monitoring and arterial blood sampling.
Description
A sterile kit containing components for placement of a radial, femoral, or other peripheral arterial catheter to provide continuous beat to beat arterial pressure monitoring and repeated arterial blood sampling. The kit typically includes an arterial catheter, introducer needle, guidewire or stylet, extension tubing, pressure transducer, flush system, and securement devices. Arterial lines are used in critical care, anesthesia, and major surgery to guide hemodynamic management, titrate vasoactive medications, and obtain arterial blood gases without repeated needle sticks. Proper insertion technique, transducer leveling and zeroing, waveform interpretation, and vigilant site care are essential to minimize complications such as thrombosis, infection, hematoma, and distal ischemia.