Arterial line
Arterial Line
An Arterial Line (pronounced: ahr-teer-ee-uhl lahyne), also known as an Art-Line or A-Line, is a thin catheter inserted into an artery. It is primarily used in intensive care medicine and anesthesia to monitor blood pressure real-time and to obtain samples for arterial blood gas measurements.
Etymology
The term "Arterial Line" is derived from the Latin word "arteria", meaning 'windpipe, artery', and the English word "line", referring to the thin catheter line used in the procedure.
Procedure
The arterial line is typically inserted into the radial artery in the wrist, but can also be placed in the femoral artery in the groin or the dorsalis pedis artery in the foot. The procedure is performed under sterile conditions and local anesthesia. The arterial line is connected to a pressurized bag of saline, which is then connected to a transducer for pressure measurement.
Uses
Arterial lines are used in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and during major surgeries to allow for direct, real-time measurement of the blood pressure, as well as repeated blood sampling. They are also used in the management of severe hypertension and hypotension, and in the monitoring of patients with severe trauma or sepsis.
Related Terms
- Artery: A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.
- Catheter: A thin tube made from medical grade materials used to treat diseases or perform a surgical procedure.
- Blood Pressure: The pressure of the blood in the circulatory system, often measured for diagnosis since it is closely related to the force and rate of the heartbeat and the diameter and elasticity of the arterial walls.
- Arterial Blood Gas: A blood test that measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from an artery. It also determines the acidity (pH) of the blood.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Arterial line
- Wikipedia's article - Arterial line
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