The international journal of cardiovascular imaging
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Int J Cardiovasc Imaging · Oct 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA randomized trial assessing the value of ultrasound-guided puncture of the femoral artery for interventional investigations.
Using a prospectively collected database of patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic angiography via transfemoral access, we sought to determine those patients who may benefit from ultrasound-guided puncture of the femoral artery. One-hundred-twelve patients with normal anticoagulation parameters were randomized in two groups. Fifty-six patients received ultrasound-guided puncture of the femoral artery, 56 patients underwent traditional palpation-guided vessel cannulation. ⋯ In contrast, time for vessel cannulation was increased in patients with strong arterial pulse using ultrasound guidance. No significant differences were found with respect to diminished complications neither comparing both patient groups nor comparing risk subgroups. In conclusion ultrasound guidance for femoral artery access is recommended only in patients with a weak or absent arterial pulse and obese patients.