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How is an arterial line inserted?
- A needle is used to put the arterial line in. First, the area where the needle will go in is cleaned.
- An ultrasound may be used to help guide the needle into the artery.
- When the arterial line is in, it may be held in place with a stitch. You will see a bandage taped to your skin to help hold the line in place.
- Your wrist will be taped to a soft board to keep you from bending it.
Having a needle put into an artery is more painful than having it put into a vein. That's because the arteries are deeper and are near nerves. If you are awake at the time, your medical team will use medicine to numb the area first. Any mild discomfort usually gets better after the line is in place.
There are a few risks to having an arterial line put in. These risks include infections, bleeding, damage to the artery, and blood clots. ICU teams check the line regularly to help prevent these problems.
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