RANDOMISED COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SUCCESSFUL CANNULATION OF RADIAL ARTERY USING BLIND PALPATION TECHNIQUE AND ULTRASOUND GUIDED TECHNIQUE

Ramya Nagaraju; Bhavani.M

Volume : VIII, Issue : X, October - 2018

RANDOMISED COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SUCCESSFUL CANNULATION OF RADIAL ARTERY USING BLIND PALPATION TECHNIQUE AND ULTRASOUND GUIDED TECHNIQUE

Ramya Nagaraju, Bhavani. M

Abstract :

BACKGROUND

The insertion of radial artery cannula for continuous blood pressure measurement and blood sampling is very much necessary in cardiothoracic surgeries. The radial artery cannula is usually inserted by using blind palpation technique. However, the insertion of the radial artery cannula can sometimes be difficult, requiring multiple attempts which can cause patient discomfort and suffering.The technique of performing radial artery cannulation using ultrasound guidance is increasing in popularity. We compared the successful cannulation of radial artery by blind palpation technique and ultrasound guided technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was done as a randomized controlled trial among 80 subjects posted for elective cardiothoracic surgeries of which 40 subjects were put in group P(blind palpation technique) and 40 subjects in group U (ultrasound guided technique).

After ethical committee approval, patients satisfying inclusion criteria and Allen^’s test, patients randomized by computer generated table. Radial artery cannulation done under complete aseptic precautions with wrist immobilized in dorsiflexed supine position supported by bundle of gauze using blind palpation or ultrasound guided technique. First pass success rate, time taken to cannulate, total number of attempts and complications were noted till the time of decannulation.

RESULTS

The first pass success rate was found to be statistically significant in between both the groups .Time taken to cannulate was significantly shorter in Group U when compared to Group P. The number of attempts were found lesser in Group U when compared to Group P. There was no significant difference in complications in between both the groups.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound guided technique for radial artery cannulation is associated with higherrate of successful cannulation and lesser time required for arterial line insertion as compared to blind palpation method.