Vascular cannulation

Abstract

Vascular cannulation is an essential skill for the care of critically ill surgical patients. These accesses serve as a two-way street in many ways between provider and patient. As providers, we are able to administer fluids, medication nutrition, and even therapy. In turn, from these cannulae, we can obtain valuable patient information when used for hemodynamic monitoring and blood sampling. This chapter reviews arterial, central venous, and pulmonary artery catheterization. Evidence-based recommendations for prevention of nosocomial catheter-related infections are also discussed. Because the use of point-of-care ultrasound has become integral to vascular cannulation, ultrasound techniques are described, as well as specific recommendations for usage.