Comparative Analysis of Ultrasound-Guided vs. Anatomical Landmark Techniques for Arterial Cannulation by Anaesthesia Technologists in Critical Care
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 4
Original Research | 2026 | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | Page 23-27
SUMIT, PhD (Pursuing), MSC, BSC in OTAT, assistant professor, department of Anaesthesia, JNU Medical College Jaipur Rajasthan
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Arterial cannulation is a vital procedure in critical care for continuous hemodynamic monitoring and frequent blood sampling. While the anatomical landmark technique has been the traditional standard, ultrasound-guided (USG) cannulation is increasingly recognized for its potential to improve success rates and reduce complications. Despite this, the comparative efficacy of these techniques when performed by anaesthesia technologists in a critical care setting remains an area requiring further investigation to optimize patient safety.
METHODS: This prospective, comparative study was conducted at JNU Medical College, Jaipur, to evaluate the procedural performance of anaesthesia technologists using either ultrasound-guided or anatomical landmark techniques for radial artery cannulation. Primary outcomes included the first-attempt success rate, the total number of attempts required, and the time taken to achieve successful cannulation. Secondary outcomes assessed included the incidence of procedure-related complications, such as hematoma formation and arterial spasm.
RESULTS: Preliminary data suggest that ultrasound-guided cannulation significantly increases the rate of successful first-attempt arterial access compared to the anatomical landmark technique. Technologists utilizing ultrasound guidance recorded a marked reduction in the total number of attempts and achieved successful cannulation with fewer corrective maneuvers. Although the mean procedural time was initially comparable between the groups, the ultrasound-guided technique demonstrated a superior safety profile, with a notably lower incidence of post-procedural hematomas.
CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided arterial cannulation offers superior efficacy and safety over the traditional anatomical landmark technique when managed by anaesthesia technologists in critical care environments. These findings support the widespread adoption of ultrasound-guided protocols to enhance the precision of vascular access and reduce patient morbidity.
KEYWORDS: Arterial Cannulation, Ultrasound-Guided, Anatomical Landmark Technique, Anaesthesia Technologists, Critical Care, Vascular Access.