A comparison of the success rate of radial artery cannulation between the ultrasound-guided and conventional palpation techniques in elderly patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery.

Background: Ultrasound-guided (USG) radial artery cannulation against the standard palpation technique increases the first attempt rate in both pediatric and adult patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of USG versus the palpation technique in improving the first attempt rate in elderly patients.

Methods: The patients over 65 years of age were randomized to the USG or Palpation group. The radial artery identification in the USG group was performed with the aid of the Sonimage HS 1. In the Palpation group, the radial artery was identified by manual palpation. The operators were cardiothoracic anesthesiologists. Overall success was defined as cannulation completed within 10 min.

Results: Eighty patients (40 in each group) were recruited. The respective first attempt and overall success rate for the USG group were similar to the Palpation group (P > 0.999 and P = 0.732). The time to the first attempt and overall success were also similar (P = 0.075 and P = 0.636). The number of attempts, number of catheters used, and failure rates were similar between the groups (P = 0.935, P = 0.938, and P = 0.723). The number of successful cannulations within 10 min was similar for both the groups as categorized by the radial artery diameter (P = 0.169).

Conclusions: The USG did not increase the first attempt or overall success rate of radial artery cannulation in the elderly patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. The time to first attempt and overall success were similar between both the groups. The number of attempts and number of catheters used were similar between both groups.