The role of ultrasound as an adjunct to arterial catheterization in critically ill surgical and intensive care unit patients.

Objective: To review the evidence behind Ultrasound (US) guided placement of arterial cannulae and its use in the critically ill population.

Data Sources: We performed a computer-aided literature search using set search terms and electronic data bases of PubMed and EMBASE from their commencement date through the end of July 2013.

Summary Of Review: Insertion of intra-arterial catheters is a commonly performed invasive procedure in the peri-operative and intensive care setting that facilitates invasive blood pressure and cardiac output monitoring as well as frequent blood sampling.