Arterial Line Placement: Catheter Over Needle Technique

Arterial Line Placement: Catheter Over Wire Technique

Can you tell what is wrong with this arterial line waveform? It is underdamped! An underdamped waveform causes an overestimate of systolic pressure and an underestimate of diastolic pressure. You’ll notice during your square wave test that the waveform produces several oscillations after the fast flash. The waveform may also appear more “whipped” and/or contain artifact waves. ➡️Causes: air bubbles in line, clot at the tip of the catheter, catheter positioned against the wall, tubing is too stif