APPLICATION OF ULTRASOUND IN RADIAL ARTERIAL CATHETERIZATION IN PEDIATRIC
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Arterial catheterization in pediatric intensive care units settings is a technically challenging procedure, with a relatively low first-attempt success rate. These difficulties are primarily attributable to the small arterial diameter in children, limited patient cooperation during the procedure, and the traditional reliance on palpation and superficial anatomical landmarks for arterial localization. Therefore, this study was conducted using ultrasound to mark the radial artery and estimate its depth, diameter, and anatomical course prior to needle insertion.
Methods: This was a One-group posttest-only design. This study was conducted in pediatric patients with indications for arterial catheterization who met the inclusion criteria at the Pediatric Intensive Care and Toxicology unit and Emergency department of Children’s hospital 1. The study period extended from November 2024 to March 2025.
Results: The first-attempt success rate was 61.10%; the overall success rate was 90.60%; the mean number of puncture attempts was 1.86, with most cases showing no complications. Regression analysis demonstrated that the level of patient agitation significantly affected the likelihood of first-attempt success (B = −3.189; OR = 0.41; p < 0.05), indicating that higher agitation levels were associated with lower procedural success at the initial attempt.
Conclusion: The initial application of ultrasound to localize and mark the artery has demonstrated a high success rate, reduced number of needle insertion attempts, and a lower incidence of post-procedural complications. Pediatric intensive care units should consider expanding the implementation of this technique when adequately equipped with ultrasound machines and staffed by personnel trained in ultrasound-guided peripheral vascular access.
Keywords
Radial arterial catheterization, ultrasound guidance, pediatric, pediatric intensive care.
Article Details
References
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