Ultrasonic Technology Improves Radial Artery Puncture and Cannulation in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Shock Patients.

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.