title: A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of topical amethocaine in reducing pain during arterial puncture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if topical 4% amethocaine gel can reduce the pain associated with arterial punctures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial with parallel groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults requiring arterial punctures for blood gas estimation as part of routine care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four percent amethocaine gel applied for 30 min prior to the radial arterial puncture, compared with a placebo gel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pain scored on a visual analog scale from 0 to 100, and heart rate during the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean pain score for the amethocaine group was 16.0 (SD, 23.3) and for the placebo group was 20.7 (SD, 18.5). The mean heart rates during arterial puncture were 84.1 beats/min (SD, 10.7) for the amethocaine group, and 83.8 beats/min (SD, 12.7) for the placebo group. These differences were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The topical use of 4% amethocaine gel does not reduce the pain associated with arterial puncture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bowen Centre, Austin Campus, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
authors.forename: Ngoc Q
authors.initials: NQ
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pretto
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Worsnop
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001158:Arteries; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000379:methods; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012016:Reference Values; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D013748:Tetracaine