Reducing Pain During Emergency Arterial Sampling Using Three Anesthetic Methods: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Taking a sample of arterial blood is widely reported as a cause of significant pain.

Objectives: To compare three anesthetic methods with standard practice (no anesthesia) to establish which was the most effective in reducing pain caused by radial artery puncture in patients requiring an arterial blood gas test in the emergency department (ED).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness between anesthetic cream, cryoanalgesia, and subcutaneous mepivacaine in reducing pain caused by radial artery puncture in ED patients.