Ultrasound guidance versus direct palpation for radial artery catheterization by expert operators: a randomized trial among Canadian cardiac anesthesiologists

A technique for optimizing ultrasonography-guided radial arterial catheter insertion

“…This choice is partly because many clinicians struggle with a US-guided technique due to technical limitations imparted by the small diameter of the radial artery and because some studies have not demonstrated that the US-guided technique offers superior results (at least among experienced operators). 3 We speculate, however, that it may also be because a practical step-by-step guide for its optimal use has not yet been published. According to the above-cited meta-analysis, 2 first-attempt success rates using the US-guided technique range from 53% to 95%.…”

US-guided peripheral vascular interventions, comments on the EFSUMB guidelines

“…Only in the case of failure of palpation-guided radial access, an additional US-guided attempt was associated with a shorter overall time to access [51]. Among experienced cardiac anesthesiologists, the use of US guidance had no impact on procedure success or complications [52].…”

Novel techniques for increasing the size of the radial artery during ultrasound-guided cannulation

“…With more widespread availability of portable ultrasound (US) equipment, there has been an increase in the use of US for arterial and venous cannulation. Though challenged by some, 1 the use of US guidance for arterial cannulation has been reported to increase the rate of success, reduce the time required for placement, and decrease the rate of complications. 2 Despite the potential benefits of US to guide radial artery cannulation, it is often reserved only for difficult situations when palpation or Doppler methods are unsuccessful.…”