BACKGROUND: This study observed the efficacy of ultrasonic technique with out-of-plane orientation and in-plane guidance in radial artery puncture and cannulation in intensive care unit (ICU) shock patients to elucidate the effect of this technique on the security of cannulation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 88 ICU shock patients, randomized into a palpation (control) group and an ultrasound (experimental) group, received continuous intravenous sedation and analgesia. The palpation group patients underwent radial artery cannulation using the traditional palpation pulsation approach, and the ultrasound group patients underwent radial artery cannulation under out-of-plane orientation and in-plane guidance using an ultrasonic apparatus. Data were recorded and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS: (1) The success rate of the first puncture in the ultrasound group and the palpation group was 80% and 42%, respectively (P<0.05). (2) The cannulation duration in the ultrasound group and the palpation group was 8.77±6.33 s and 28.7±26.33 s, respectively (P<0.01). (3) Incidence of hematoma and staxis around stoma in the ultrasound group was 2.5% and 5%, respectively, which was significantly lower than that in the palpation group, which was 20% and 32.5%, respectively (P<0.05). (4) Time to achieve the early goal-directed therapy in the ultrasound group and the palpation group was 306.73±39.98 min and 356.75±40.97 min, respectively (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the traditional method, radial artery cannulation with out-of-plane orientation and in-plane guidance is a quick and secure cannulation method and is appropriate for use in clinics.

Keywords: Catheterization, Peripheral - methods, Critical Care, Intensive Care Units, Palpation - methods, Prospective Studies, Punctures - methods, Radial Artery - diagnostic imaging, Shock - therapy