Approximately eight million arterial lines are placed in the United States yearly. The main indication for arterial line placement is the need for close hemodynamic monitoring. The second-to-second blood pressure variations seen with an arterial line allow providers to titrate medications according to a patient’s hemodynamic needs. From vasopressor support to anti-hypertensive drips, arterial lines allow for instant feedback on a patient’s hemodynamics. In cardiac arrest settings, arterial lines can be used to assess for the presence of a pulse and can help guide resuscitation. The radial artery is the most common location for arterial line placement because it is readily accessible and has a low complication rate. The femoral artery is also a common insertion site and is often the vessel of choice for severely hypotensive or coding patients because of its larger caliber. This post details each of these procedures.

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