Comparing arterial catheterisation by palpation or ultrasound guidance by novice nurses in an adult intensive care unit: A prospective cohort study

Background: Arterial catheterisation is a common procedure in intensive care units (ICUs), typically performed using the palpation technique. Ultrasound (US)-guided catheterisation remains underutilised, particularly when performed by nonphysician operators.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of US-guided arterial catheterisation performed by nurses in critically ill patients.

Methods: This prospective cohort study took place in a medical ICU at a tertiary university hospital, comparing outcomes before and after a training program. Critically ill patients requiring arterial catheterisation were included. The study examined the performance and complications associated with two catheterisation techniques used by critical care nurses: palpation (PP) and US-guided. Nurses inexperienced with the US technique completed a brief training program consisting of two 3-h workshops followed by supervised clinical practice before performing the procedure. Collected data included the first-attempt success rate (primary endpoint), overall success rate, procedure time, the number of attempts, the number of cannulas used, complication rate, and catheter durability.

Results: The study included 175 patients, with 89 in the PP group and 86 in the US group. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The first-attempt success rate was 50% in the PP group and 58% in the US group (p = 0.39, 95% confidence interval -23.4% to +8.3%). No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of failed attempts (21.3% vs. 14%, p = 0.28), procedure time (284 s vs 350 s, p = 0.44), or rates of immediate (haematoma) and late (catheter infection or dysfunction) complications. Catheter durability was also comparable. Although radial artery cannulation was preferred in both groups, femoral and brachial access were more frequently used in the US group (12.9% and 2.9% vs. 17.6% and 14.9%, respectively, p = 0.02).

Conclusions: Arterial catheterisation using US guidance, performed by nurses with limited prior experience after a brief training course, demonstrated similar performance and complications rates compared to the traditional PP technique in a medical ICU setting.