title: [Comparison of ultrasound-guided and blindly placed radial artery catheterization].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ultrasound (US)-guided radial artery catheterization decreases the number of failed attempts.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 36 patients requiring an arterial catheter were enrolled. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) a blind palpation technique group, 2) an US-guided short-axis group, and 3) an US-guided long-axis group. The vascular access was performed by one anesthesiologist. The number of attempts at catheter placement was compared within the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences among the groups in number of attemps (P = 0.268); however, it seems that the deviation of attempts was small in the US groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because the artery and catheter are actually visualized by US, it seems, that US-guided radial artery catheterization is a safe and educational technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation Sapporo Hospital, Sapporo 060-8541.
authors.forename: Mitsutaka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edanaga
authors.forename: Mitsuko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mimura
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Azumaguchi
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Michiaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamakage
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods