Helvetica chirurgica acta
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Helvetica chirurgica acta · Jul 1978
[Selective catheterization of peripheral arteries for the monitoring of patients in intensive care units].
In critical ill patients, determination of blood gases is a crucial part of patient evaluation and management. In intensive care situations many blood-gas determinations are required in a single day. The introduction of an arterial catheter into a small peripheral artery is an invaluable technique that allows continuous blood-sampling. ⋯ Temporary ischaemia of the upper limb appeared in three patients after simultaneous catheterization of both ulnar and radial arteries. The infection rate was nil. Arterial catheterization and maintenance of indwelling catheter for repeated blood-samples is a simple and safe procedure with minimal complications, invaluable in the management of critical ill patients.