Arterial Lines to Kat

[Guest guest]

An art line as they are called are very similiar to a regular IV only

a little bit bigger. They are placed into the big artery in your

arm, usually at the wrists. They are placed during long surgeries

and are used mainly to monitor the heart rate and blood pressure of

the patient. Blood can be drawn for lab tests and if absolutely

necessary meds can be placed into them. Usually not tho. They are

bigger and longer then IV's and you will probably already be asleep

when it is placed.

I have assisted anesthesia place these many many times when I worked

in the pre - op holding area. they dont hurt as usually lidocaine or

other topical numbing agents are used to numb the area before

placing. I was asleep when mine was placed and in all honesty I

barely remember having the epidural placed. They had me all doped up

good.

In the ICU the art line can be used to monitor BP and heart rate as

well as draw labs if necessary. They were trying to get the blood

for the every 1 hours glucose checks but my art line clotted off and

had to be removed. Most often they are removed not long after the

surgery is completed anyway. I had a couple of peripheral lines that

was used for IV fluids and meds.

I also had an jugular line placed when I had the Beger (an organ

sparing whipple) that was used dring surgery and my recovery time. I

like that because it was not in the way like a IV in my hand or

wrist. It had several ports like most central lines but was inside

my neck and that reduced the risk of infection. Blood could be drawn

from these as well. It is often used for long surgeries and lengthy

hospital stays. My guess tho, is that an art line will be placed

when you have the total with islets.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, please feel free.

Now do bare in mind that different hospitals and anesthesiologist

will have different practices.