Arterial Line

The arterial line provides a way to constantly monitor a patient's blood pressure and may be essential to the hemodynamic stabilization of the patient. Arterial lines may be useful in patients with very high or low blood pressures. The arterial line also provides access for frequent blood sampling.

Possible Complications

• Common
• Kinking of the catheter
• Accidental injection of medications or other substances intra-arterial because of misidentification of the line as an intravenous catheter.
• Serious, rare complications
• Loss of blood flow to fingers or toes

Examples of possible medical negligence:

• The most serious complication associated with placement of arterial line is tissue ischemia (loss of blood flow) which may result in gangrene and amputation of a limb.

Before an arterial line is placed the blood flow from other arteries in the same region should be evaluated.  If the blood flow is compromised for any reason, the arterial line should not be placed in that area. Failure to observe these guidelines may result in ischemia and death of tissue which may be considered medical negligence.